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G’day from Australia! I’m here for the first two games of the 2014 Major League Baseball season. That’s right, American baseball in Australia! It’s a historic event as the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 22nd and 23rd at the Sydney Cricket Ground. As one of the local newspapers wrote today, their hallowed ground has now been turned into an American “field of dreams.” It’s going to be so much fun. I can’t wait!

PhotoGrid_1395033176816Walking around Sydney today I couldn’t help but notice the banners advertising the game all over the city and I snapped the top photo in Darling Harbour. While exploring the city and shops, I started wondering what Australian souvenirs the players would (or should) bring back to the U.S. I walked into a shop and took some pictures of items I think they should pick up—either for themselves or their family members.

1. Didgeridoo
A didgeridoo is a wind instrument developed by the aboriginals of northern Australia. It’s been around for 1,500 years and is still used today. Musicologists classify it as a brass aerophone. I bought one years ago and it’s one of my all-time favorite souvenirs.

2. Outback & Bush Hat
I’d be willing to bet money that one of the players will be wearing an Australian Outback hat when they get off the plane in Los Angeles. These guys obviously won’t have time to travel to the Outback but I’m sure they’ve seen  the movie Crocodile Dundee and want to look like the quintessentially cool Paul Hogan.

3. Boomerang
A boomerang is an Australian icon that has been historically used for hunting, sport and entertainment. If you throw it correctly, it will return to the thrower. It’s a fun souvenir for adults but will definitely be a big hit with their kids or nieces and nephews.

4. Koala or Kangaroo Doll
Speaking of little ones, if these guys dare to travel all the way to Australia and not bring back a soft, cuddly koala or kangaroo stuffed animal, their loved ones might never speak to them again.

5. Australia Sweatshirt/T-Shirt
No doubt these guys and their families are going to rave to their friends when they get home about how much they loved Australia and I’m sure they’ll want to come back in the off-season so they can really explore the country. Because of that, they should buy Australian sweatshirts and/or t-shirts for friends and family.

What do you think? Am I right? If you were them, what would you bring home?

For more information on baseball in Australia for the Opening Series, log on to MLBSydney2014.com and follow along on Twitter using the hashtag #OpeningSeries.

7 Comments On "5 Souvenirs the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks Should Bring Back from Australia"
  1. Ben|

    What? No Kangaroo Scrotum wallet or bottle opener?

  2. billndc|

    Brought the Hat back home during 1989 trip. I was Mayor of Melbourne, Iowa, and we met with the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Australia. It was a Lady Lord Mayor

  3. Todd Phillips|

    Welcome! Sydney is buzzing about the game and how good is this weather?? Hope you have a great visit. One question: you backing the Dodgers or Diamondbacks?

    1. Johnny Jet|

      Dodgers! I live in L.A.

  4. Todd Phillips|

    and you should take home all of those items along with Tim Tams, Vegemite and a six pack of VB!

  5. Scott|

    My last trip to Australia I brought back an kangaroo scrotum pouch. I keep all my change in it

    1. Ben Alcock|

      Hah! Love it.

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