Jason Allen

The story

The inspiration hit shortly after my wife and I purchased our home 22 years ago. I stumbled across an HGTV episode of “Man Caves”, and from that moment, I was determined to convert our humble one car garage into a blue fortress of solitude. With the help of many friends, family and neighbors, and more than a few upgrades and reimages along the way, that vision has finally come to life. Adorned with memorabilia I’ve collected dating back to my childhood days of the mid-70’s up to the present, there is a full array of autographed cards, baseballs, photos and Sports Illustrateds, along with framed L.A. Times sports pages from the last five World Series. You’ll enjoy seats from both Dodger Stadium (from the 2003-4 renovations) and the L.A. Coliseum. There’s also a corner dedicated to Fernando Valenzuela I’ve designated as “Fernando’s Hideaway” (die hard SNL fans will get the reference). Bobbleheads? You betcha! Vintage 7-Eleven Slurpee cups? Of course! A copy of “The Big Blue Wrecking Crew” on LP? Guilty! From Lasorda and the infield of the 70’s, all the way to Kershaw, Mookie, Freeman & Ohtani, and many of the Dodger players and teams in between are all proudly represented. And, on game day, with four screens rocking, you know there’s always plenty of baseball action to enjoy. The best part…It’s now a place where those same friends, family, and neighbors (btw, all synonymous in my book) that all pitched in over the years can congregate, enjoy some great food, cold beverages, talk baseball, and root for our Dodgers! Submitted for your approval and consideration, I present: The Allentown Dodger Den.

I would say the letter I received in June 1996 announcing I had been selected as a winner of the Dodger Think Blue Week contest as a fantasy sports writer is among the most cherished of my memorabilia. Being acknowledged on field during the pregame ceremonies and getting a picture with Todd Hollandsworth by itself was beyond awesome, but that was just the beginning. I was then escorted up to the press box, introduced to Rick Monday and Ross Porter (Vin had already left for their pending road trip). Don Newcombe even came by and chatted me up like we'd know each other for years. Too cool! Then, mind still blown from all this...I got to sit with the other writers, keep score, and follow a baseball game from a totally different perspective. A true once in a lifetime moment for any baseball fan. (It is also worth noting that on that same night [June 26th], while I was geeking out in the Dodger press box, back in New Jersey, a young kid from Lower Merion PA had just been selected 13th overall in the NBA draft. I’m pretty sure you know of whom I speak...)