Dodgers vs Diamondbacks in Sydney Australia March 2014-012

G’day! If you’re following me on Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter then you know I just returned from an amazing trip to Australia. The whole thing feels like a dream, but I took tons of photos (below)—so I know it’s not!

Speaking of dreams…I was Down Under for the first two games (and Opening Day) of the 2014 Major League Baseball season, which took place between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks. As the first MLB regular seasons games on Australian soil, they were a monumental, historic two games, and fittingly took place on the hallowed Sydney Cricket Ground. I got goosebumps when they sang the Star-Spangled Banner, and believe it or not, so did the Aussie sitting next to me! How cool is that?

 

Dodgers vs Diamondbacks in Sydney Australia March 2014-027

 

All the Australians I spoke to loved going to the game(s). One even told me that “it was a great cultural experience” since the minds behind it brought over not just baseball but many other American sporting traditions, like Kiss Cams, “Guess Which Hat,” the singing of Take Me Out to the Ball Game, and more.

 

The All American SuperDog at SCG
The All-American SuperDog at SCG

There was also plenty of “American” food which I thoroughly enjoyed documenting in my Dodgers vs Team Australia exhibition game post.

Dodgers vs Diamondbacks in Sydney Australia March 2014-003

 

Below I’ve included my photos from Saturday night’s game one and Sunday’s matinee game two—which combined saw over 76,000 fans attend. Most of them were wearing Dodgers memorabilia, likely because of the glamour of Los Angeles, yet the crowd seemed to be rooting for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Why? I can think of three possible reasons: 1) because Ryan Rowland-Smith (one of Arizona’s pitchers) is Australian, 2) because the D-Backs are the underdogs and 3) because Dodgers star pitcher/bigmouth Zack Greinke told reporters last month that there was “absolutely zero excitement” for their then-upcoming Australia trip.

Dodgers vs Diamondbacks in Sydney Australia March 2014-039

 

For whatever reason, the Dodgers ending up leaving Greinke back in L.A. and starting South Korean lefthander Ryu Hyun-jin in game two. It was a smart move because there were tons of Koreans at the game—and because he gave up just two hits in five innings.

 

Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw

 

In game one, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, whose seven-year, $215 million contract earns him roughly one million dollars per start (which makes him the highest paid player in the majors), took the win.

The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks both games (3-1 & 7-5) in the MLB season-opening series.

 

Dodgers vs Diamondbacks in Sydney Australia March 2014-040

 

I think both managers did a great job of summing up the games. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly was quoted as saying, “It’s historic and I think, for all of us involved, it’ll be something that we won’t forget.” Arizona manager Kirk Gibson, meanwhile, said “This event was outstanding. We certainly would like to come back if we’re invited.” I feel the same way!

 

Good to know
According to Sports Illustrated, “This marks the seventh time in 16 years that Opening Day will take place abroad; previous hosts include Monterrey, Mexico (1999), Tokyo, Japan (2000, ’04, ’08, ’12), and San Juan, Puerto Rico (2001). The choice to open the season in Australia is a tribute to the 100th anniversary of an exhibition series between the White Sox and Giants, which was played in January 1914 as part of a 13-country barnstorming tour that itself was a 25th anniversary tribute to Albert Spalding’s famous 1889-90 world tour.”

 

What the Sydney papers are saying:

Dodgers vs Diamondbacks ticket for Game 1 in Sydney, Australia
Dodgers vs Diamondbacks ticket for Game 1 in Sydney, Australia
Arriving for Dodgers vs Diamondbacks in Sydney
Arriving for Dodgers vs Diamondbacks in Sydney
Tarp on the field because of rain
Tarp on the field because of rain
A worker laying down San Diego clay
A worker laying down San Diego clay
Dodgers players signing autographs before Game 1
Dodgers players signing autographs before Game 1
Opening ceremonies for Dodgers vs Diamondbacks in Sydney
Opening ceremonies for Dodgers vs Diamondbacks in Sydney
Historic Grandstands of SCG
Historic Grandstands of SCG
The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Sydney Swans Aussie rules football star Adam Goodes, picked as Australian of the year this season. Credit: Johnny Jet
The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Sydney Swans Aussie rules football star Adam Goodes, picked as Australian of the year this season. Credit: Johnny Jet
I made it to the big game!
I made it to the big game!
First pitch
First pitch
Clayton's first pitch
Clayton's first pitch
Ball
Ball
Dance Cam
Dance Cam
Kissing Cam
Kissing Cam
Fans doing the wave at Dodgers vs Diamondbacks in Sydney
Fans doing the wave at Dodgers vs Diamondbacks in Sydney
Fan catching a foul ball (I've literally have never seen anyone more excited)
Fan catching a foul ball (I've literally have never seen anyone more excited)
Sydney paper
Sydney paper
Arriving to Dodgers vs Diamondbacks Game 2 in Sydney
Arriving to Dodgers vs Diamondbacks Game 2 in Sydney
Dodgers & Diamondbacks actors
Dodgers & Diamondbacks actors
Game 2 Opening Ceremonies for Dodgers vs Diamondbacks in Sydney, Australia
Game 2 Opening Ceremonies for Dodgers vs Diamondbacks in Sydney, Australia
They had one for the Dbacks too
They had one for the Dbacks too
Australian Major Leaguers being honored in Sydney
Australian Major Leaguers being honored in Sydney
Australian Ryan Rowland-Smith
Australian Ryan Rowland-Smith
Eric Chavez signing autographs before Game 2
Eric Chavez signing autographs before Game 2
A moment of silence for Chris Lane, an Australian baseball player who was shot and killed in Oklahoma while going out for a jog
A moment of silence for Chris Lane, an Australian baseball player who was shot and killed in Oklahoma while going out for a jog
Baseball Commissioner Bug Selig honoring Chris Lane's parents with a ceremonial home plate
Baseball Commissioner Bug Selig honoring Chris Lane's parents with a ceremonial home plate
Doyles Chips at Dodgers vs Diamondbacks
Doyles Chips at Dodgers vs Diamondbacks
Sausage rolls at Dodgers vs Diamondbacks game in Sydney
Sausage rolls at Dodgers vs Diamondbacks game in Sydney
Aussie meat pie and chips at Dodgers vs Diamondbacks game in Sydney
Aussie meat pie and chips at Dodgers vs Diamondbacks game in Sydney
Nachos at Dodgers vs Diamondbacks game in Sydney
Nachos at Dodgers vs Diamondbacks game in Sydney
Adrian Gonzalez of the Dodgers being introduced in Sydney, Australia March 2014-038
Adrian Gonzalez of the Dodgers being introduced in Sydney, Australia March 2014-038
National Anthems in Sydney, Australia
National Anthems in Sydney, Australia
Strike
Strike
South Korean lefthander Ryu Hyun-jin in game two in Sydney
South Korean lefthander Ryu Hyun-jin in game two in Sydney
South Koreans rooting for Ryu Hyun-jin in game two in Sydney
South Koreans rooting for Ryu Hyun-jin in game two in Sydney
NSW Rugby Union Team  singing Take Me Out To The Ball Game at Dodgers vs Diamondbacks game in Sydney, Australia
NSW Rugby Union Team singing Take Me Out To The Ball Game at Dodgers vs Diamondbacks game in Sydney, Australia
Dodger'sPuig kissing the sky in Sydney, Australia
Dodger'sPuig kissing the sky in Sydney, Australia
My Aussie friend all decked out in Dodgers gear
My Aussie friend all decked out in Dodgers gear

2 Comments On "MLB Opening Day 2014: Los Angeles Dodgers vs Arizona Diamondbacks in Sydney, Australia"
  1. jason hart|

    hi, do you have any other photos of the kiss cam from the 2014 MLB games in Sydney Australia?

    1. Johnny Jet|

      I do and can email you

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