Tuesday April.10/2012
Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Writer and @chuckbooth3024 on twitter)- I recently had a chance to talk with Josh Robbins about Dodger Stadium. Josh is the Land Record World Record Holder for visiting all 30 MLB Parks in 26 days during the summer of 2008. Here is what we talked about.”
CB: “Welcome to the MLB Reports Experts Interview Josh. Please tell us about yourself and then give us a bit of background information on your life as Yankees Fan?”
JR: “I am a Videographer/Journalist and Baseball Historian living in Gilbert, Arizona. In 2010, I earned a Master’s Degree in Sport Management from CSU-Long Beach. My first baseball game was July 23, 1983 at Yankee Stadium. Don Mattingly was my favorite player growing up and I saw the 1998 Yankees clinch the World Championship in person at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA.”
CB: “Josh, you attended 30 Major League Baseball games in 26 calendar days during June and July 2008. In fact we were the same game where you set your record. You own the land record for the quickest time. Looking back 4 years later, how much does this accomplishment mean to you?”
JR: The trip was a combination of all my greatest passions in life: baseball, traveling, and videography. It was the ultimate adventure combining the spirit of travel, the love of baseball, and sharing the time with friends and family members. While preparing to achieve a personal goal, an effort to share my passion for baseball emerged. Unexpectedly, I raised $2200 for the Jim Thorpe Little League in Hawthorne, California and donated the proceeds to the organization before the start of the pursuit.”
CB: “As part of that trip, what was it like being interviewed and featured on a segment of ‘This Week on Baseball?”
JR: “For the past dozen years, I have worked as a Videographer for several different television and production companies. So, I am very comfortable around reporters, cameras, and questions. I was very surprised to hear from TWIB after initially emailing them about Thirty26. It was a great experience having them cover an entire day of my road trip in New York.”
CB: “You have been to all of the ballparks Josh, how do the Dodgers fans compare to the rest of the country? It is my belief that this stadium is the loudest in MLB when the fans are rabid, what do you think?”
JR: “I enjoy watching baseball in Chavez Ravine but I would have to respectfully disagree. The most passionate and loudest fans are in the Northeast. New York, Boston, and Philadelphia crowds are into every pitch where LA fans tend to sit back and wait for the action to happen.”
CB:”The Dodgers have had recent ownership problems with the McCourts. How has this impacted the attendance?”
JR: “The attendance has declined in each of the past few seasons. Last season was the first time in the 21st century the LA Dodgers failed to draw 3 million fans. The new ownership group must restore trust with the fan base and create a more positive environment at the ballpark and community.”
CB: “What is your favorite method of transportation to and from Dodger Stadium?”
JR: “Unfortunately, there is no commuter friendly method to attend Dodger Stadium. An overwhelming majority of people drive to the stadium with limited alternatives. On a few occasions, I attempted to commute by Metro from Torrance/Redondo Beach. This system proved to be very inefficient due to the excessive changing of trains (green/blue/red/gold lines) and 1 mile walk from the nearest Metro stop to the stadium.”
CB: “What advice would you give for somebody experiencing Dodger Stadium for the very first time.”
JR: “I would tell people to give yourself enough to arrive at the game and enjoy the Southern California climate (bring sleeves for night games). If you drive, park outside the stadium on the street and save the $15-$20 for parking.”
CB: “What is the food like at Dodger Stadium? What is your favorite ballpark food there?”
JR: “My favorite food is a helmet cup filled with soft vanilla ice cream topped with colored sprinkles. However, Dodger Dogs are known for their size and taste.”
CB: “Finally, What is your favorite all time game that you have been in attendance in Dodger Stadium?”
JR: “There have been many memorable games over the 7 years living in the Los Angeles area but one ending was unforgettable. Game 2 of 2008 NLDS when Matt Holiday dropped the last out of the game and the Dodgers rallied to win.”
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN200910080.shtml
*** A big thank you goes out to our Dodger Stadium Expert Josh Robbins for participating in the expert article Series. Josh Robbins is a Video-Journalist and Baseball Historian living in Gilbert, Arizona. In 2010, he earned a Master’s Degree in Sport Management from CSU-Long Beach. From June 16 to July 11, 2008, he watched a game in all 30 MLB stadiums in a world record 26 days by car. Please email Josh at robbinsjosh@hotmail.com and to read more about Josh’s record baseball journey click here . Also read Josh 1st guest article at the Reports and a new Pitching grading system here ***
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**Thank you to our Baseball Writer- Chuck Booth for preparing today’s feature on MLB reports. To learn more about “The Fastest 30 Ballgames” and Chuck Booth, you can follow Chuck on Twitter (@ChuckBooth3024) and you can also follow Chuck’s website for his Guinness Book of World Record Bid to see all 30 MLB Park in 23 days click here or on the 30 MLB Parks in 23 days GWR tracker at the Reports click here. To Purchase or read about “The Fastest 30 Ballgames Book, ” please click here ***
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