Latest news with #Slugger
Toronto Sun
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Can the Blue Jays remain in first place without Vlad Guerrero Jr. at his best?
Slugger continues to lag in impact as the power hitter that drives the offence and is on pace for his lowest home run output. Get the latest from Rob Longley straight to your inbox Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts during the sixth inning of a game against the Chicago White Sox. Getty Images When you are the $500-million man and thus the richest player in franchise history, it comes with a price. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Or so it seems, anyway, with one of the only players on the current Blue Jays roster who is underperforming on expectations. In the case of Blue Jays all-star first baseman Vlad Guerrero Jr., the barking has picked up even in the midst of one of the team's most meaningful hot streaks in a decade. When the team's 10-game winning streak came sputtering to a halt on Wednesday with a 2-1 loss to the White Sox on Chicago's South Side in one of the team's sloppier efforts in weeks, Guerrero instantly became the flashpoint for the modest failure. Some ugliness on the bases, an 0-for-4 afternoon at the plate — even as Blue Jays marketers pumped up the fact that his next hit would be his 1,000th with the Jays — plus some clear frustration from him and, once again, Guerrero's impact is being questioned. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Some of it is rooted in fact: Guerrero continues to lag in terms of impact as the power hitter that resolutely drives the offence and, as such, is on pace for his lowest home run output in his seven big league seasons. Some of it is rooted in selective criticism as well, ignoring the fact that Guerrero still is an elite hitter who is treated as such by opposing pitchers and, by MLB standards, is doing just fine. And yes, some of the criticism fired Guerrero's way is over the top. But when a $500-million US extension was gifted him from the bottomless pit of owner Rogers Communications back in April, the baseball benevolence was always supposed to buy more than that. Guerrero knows it, too. Since he was a teenager blitzing his way up the Jays organizational depth chart, he expected better of himself. The pressure is heaped considerably higher now, which always is going to be the way when a team has so much invested in one player, both in contract and marketing initiatives. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Is Guerrero feeling that pressure, even as his team soars? Is he pressing to return to his designated spot as 'the man' on a team that is suddenly in first place? Many days it appears so. Thus far in July, he is just 7 for 32 at the plate, leading to a .219 batting average and .342 on base percentage — easily Guerrero's worst month this season in those categories a third of the way through. Sure, he's hitting the ball hard, but with just one homer in his past 13 games and 12 on the season (which has him in a four-way tie for second among Jays and four behind resurgent team leader George Springer) he's easily headed for his lowest long ball total as a Jays. None of this is to suggest that Guerrero isn't an elite player, a star in his sport and one of the most popular athletes in the country. He is about to become a five-time all-star, headed to Atlanta next week, though it could be argued that is more as a result of the popular vote than performance thus far in 2025. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Always a fan favourite, the one-time Home Run Derby winner (and once a runner-up) and MVP at the Midsummer Classic in 2021 is a natural in the spotlight of that show. In Toronto, he's expected to be more superstar than showman though, especially now that he's being paid as such. There has been plenty to feel good about with this Jays team with the steady stream of uplifting contributions from players such as Addison Barger, Ernie Clement, Nathan Lukes, Davis Schneider and more. Read More It is those dudes and an overall resilience and positive mindset in the clubhouse (which by all accounts Guerrero is a big part of) that has guided the Jays through the past six weeks of riveting play. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It hasn't quite happened in spite of Guerrero — he has been a regular contributor — but given the sky-high expectations (both from past performance and future earnings), it sometimes feels that way. The glass-half-full take for the 54-39 Jays, who enjoyed an off day in Sacramento on Thursday after playing for 16 consecutive days, is that they're in first place, a well-earned spot for a team playing with renewed poise and commitment. But as he awaits that 1,000th hit — to become just the 10th player in franchise history to do so — Blue Jays fans and teammates surely must know that doing so without the best of Vlad has merely been the tease. If and when they get the superstar version of Guerrero, the early returns on that $500-million payday could take the team to a special place much greater than leading the division at the all-star break. Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA Toronto Blue Jays Ontario NHL
Newsweek
07-07-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Puppy Found Shaking, Covered in Ticks After Being Abandoned in Texas Storm
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. In the midst of a Texas storm last week, a tiny trembling puppy was found clinging onto life, left in an onion sack, shivering and covered in ticks. Named Slugger, the puppy who is estimated to be around 10 weeks old, was discovered near a Dallas park by Animal Control officers after a call came in about a stray sighting. What led them to him wasn't a sound or a bark, but a purple flag fluttering in the wind. "It was pure luck," Patti Dawson of Dallas Dog Rescue Rehab Reform (Dallas Dog RRR), the rescue now overseeing Slugger's care, told Newsweek. "Erica looked closer and saw him crouched in a flooded field, shivering, covered in ticks, and sitting on an onion sack. He never tried to run. He just waited." Slugger was in a poor condition when he was found, believed to have been abandoned, there were no signs of a mother or siblings. Rescue staff believe he'd likely survived by eating plastic, dirt and trash, while his eyes were sealed with infection and skin was raw and patchy from flea bites. Pictures of Slugger, the puppy who was found abandoned during a storm in Texas last week. Pictures of Slugger, the puppy who was found abandoned during a storm in Texas last week. Dallas Dog / Facebook "He had to be stabilized in an incubator for warmth and monitoring," Dawson said. "It's sadly common for people to abandon puppies near public areas where they hope someone might find them." In 2024, approximately 7 million animals entered U.S. shelters and rescues, according to Shelter Animals Count—an increase of nearly 3 percent from 2023. Now under the care of a foster, a nurse based in South Texas, Slugger is slowly responding to antibiotics, de-wormers, and round-the-clock care. His eyes have cleared, and his appetite is growing. Though his road to healing has begun. In a post on Facebook, Dallas Dog RRR shared how Slugger was found in the heartbreaking state. The story quickly gained attention as people reacted. "I'm literally crying while reading his post and looking at his picture," said Facebook user Salina. "Why are humans so unfair to animals." While Sophia wrote: "So heart breaking so unfair. It's so wrong what dogs have to endure. He went through so much and he shouldn't have to be that brave." "Thank you for rescuing this pup and giving him a new start," said Eliana. "God bless you all." Once he has been medically cleared, Slugger will eventually be available for adoption. "He will absolutely be looking for a forever home," Dawson said. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Fox Sports
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Mets' Juan Soto on facing Yankees: It's '50,000 against one'
Major League Baseball Mets' Juan Soto on facing Yankees: It's '50,000 against one' Published May. 16, 2025 1:37 p.m. ET share facebook x reddit link One year ago, offseason acquisition Juan Soto was invigorating a New York Yankees' fan base that was coming off a 2023 season that saw their team miss the playoffs. On Friday night, Soto will step into the batter's box as a member of the New York Mets at Yankee Stadium. Speaking ahead of the Mets' three-game series in the Bronx against the Yankees, Soto discussed how he expects to be received by the Yankee faithful. "It's going to be 50,000 against one," Soto said about playing in Yankee Stadium in an interview with the New York Post. "They're going to try to get on me, you know. It's part of it. Whatever they do, they have a right to do it." Soto signed a record-breaking, 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets in December after helping the Yankees reach the World Series for the first time since 2009. In doing so, Soto had arguably the best complete season of his MLB career. In the 2024 regular season, Soto totaled a career-high 41 home runs and 109 RBIs, while posting a .288/.419/.569 slash line. In the postseason, he totaled four home runs — one of them coming in the 10th inning of the Yankees' series-clinching Game 5 win over the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Championship Series — and nine RBIs, while posting a .327/.469/.633 slash line. ADVERTISEMENT But Soto isn't looking back on his decision to switch teams. "I made a decision, and I'm happy that I made it," Soto said about signing with the Mets. "You look around. We have an unbelievable team. And it's going to be a good team for a long time." Thus far, Soto is off to an underwhelming start by the five-time Silver Slugger's standards, as he has totaled eight home runs and 20 RBIs, while boasting a .255/.380/.465 slash line. Both New York teams are atop their respective divisions, with the Mets 28-16 and the Yankees 25-18. The Yankees acquired Soto from the San Diego Padres in December 2023 in a trade package that included now-Padres ace Michael King. Soto is on his fourth MLB team: Washington Nationals (2018-22), Padres (2022-23), Yankees (2024) and Mets (present). The Mets won all four of their games against the Yankees last season. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience New York Yankees New York Mets Juan Soto share
The Independent
18-04-2025
- The Independent
Travels through the Bluegrass state: Where to visit in Kentucky
From the rolling green hills of Lexington 's horse country to Appalachia's rugged mountains, Kentucky offers experiences like no other for the intrepid traveller. As distinctive as the landscapes are the cultures you'll find. This is a state where bluegrass mixes with honky tonk and country, where cuisine ranges from fine dining to hearty southern breakfasts (not to mention that famous fried chicken) And needless to say, you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to bourbon. It can be tempting to stick to the larger towns and cities (Louisville and Lexington alone have enough to fill a week or more), but for a taste of small-town America and country Kentucky, it's worth hiring a car and exploring the charming main street of Bardstown or venturing east into the hills where you'll see a different side of the state and find endless opportunities for climbing, hiking, rafting and other outdoor activities. While by no means an exhaustive list, these are the spots I'd recommend adding to your route. Louisville This lively city might be best known as home of the Kentucky Derby – as well as seemingly endless bourbon tastings – but beyond the tourist trail you'll find live music, secret bars and street art, all surrounded by rolling green countryside. Save at least a couple of hours for the Muhammad Ali Center, where you'll learn about the life and career of the legendary Louisville born-and-raised boxer, and his legacy of pursuing justice and inspiring social change. It's a fascinating, and also very moving, experience. The nearby Slugger museum, which teaches you everything you need to know about baseball bats, is surprisingly fun, even if you have no interest in the sport. On a sunny day, take a walk through Cave Hill Cemetery, where you'll find Muhammed Ali's grave (Colonel Harland Sanders is also buried here if you want to pay homage to the king of fried chicken). But back to bourbon. There are six distilleries all within five minutes' walk of one another in the Bourbon District – Angel's Envy is a favourite of mine – and tastings, speakeasies and bars abound. For a truly special bourbon experience, Heritage Farm takes the crown. Here you can enjoy a tasting in one of the most beautiful horse barns in the state and meet some of the much-loved retired race horses while enjoying an old fashioned or two. This is picture-perfect Kentucky – we're talking red barns, green hills and white fences. No matter how you feel about horse racing, Churchill Downs is worth a visit to understand the phenomenon that is the Kentucky Derby. Beyond touring the impressive grounds themselves, there are also exhibits on past winners, how Derby Day is put together, and the African American experience in horse racing. For bedding down at night, the Omni hotel has a great central location, but for a full bourbon experience I'd recommend Hotel Distil. Meanwhile, the wonderful Trouble Bar has now been turned into a bookstore/coffee shop – you'll find the same revolutionary energy, but now powered by caffeine rather than booze. Lexington Lexington is Louisville's younger (and possibly slightly cooler) sister. Check in for a couple of nights at the beautifully designed Manchester Hotel, which is an ode to the racehorse. Both the ground floor and rooftop bars are perfect spots to enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine, plus there's an incredibly chic gym. Of course, bourbon is a big deal here, too. There are a number of distilleries in the city itself – including Barrel House Distilling Co., Bluegrass Distillers and James E. Pepper Distillery – as well as plenty in the surrounding countryside. Visits and tastings can be arranged as part of a tour or with the distillery directly, but do book ahead as spots fill up fast. There are plenty of lively restaurants and bars in the Distillery District – the Burl Arcade and Crank & Boom Ice Cream lounge are top choices – but it would be a mistake to miss the small plates at Epping's on Eastside. Just across the street is glass art studio and fine art gallery Trifecta, which is also home to a speakeasy with a lounge and outdoor seating, where you can have a drink while watching the impressive art of glass blowing. Any bourbon cocktail you order here will be memorable, but I'd recommend trying the Paper Plane, which also contains Aperol, Amaro Nonino and lemon. Lexington also does coffee well; Common Grounds and Java Jukebox are two of my favourite spots to grab a brew – make sure you try one of the grilled cheeses at the latter. Bardstown While Louisville and Lexington are top destinations for bourbon, ultimately it's Bardstown that takes the crown. This charming little town has 11 distilleries within a 16-mile radius – including the popular Bardstown Bourbon Company, as well as Jim Beam, Heaven Hill and Log Still – and wherever you step you'll find bars, tastings and fun bourbon experiences. But you don't have to love bourbon to love Bardstown. This is quintessential small-town America. There are a slew of fun, boutique hotels, including the Motor Lodge which can be found on the road leading into town, as well as Distill-Inn, Talbot Inn, and former 19th-century jailhouse The Jailer's Inn, which are all downtown. For a big southern breakfast, head to Mammy's, where you'll find huge pancakes, Kentucky's famous Hot Brown (turkey and ham piled on toast), and the friendliest service. The doughnuts at Hadorn's Bakery are legendary in Kentucky, while Big Wally's serves ice cream and soda floats that will satisfy any sweet tooth. Glasgow The main tourist draw of this region is the impressive Mammoth Caves, but base yourself in the nearby town of Glasgow for a classic American small-town experience. Copper and Elk is a gorgeous, huge apartment right on the main square that can be booked on Airbnb. The local owners also have the Plaid Peacock interconnecting apartment, which I've not stayed at but have confidence in the quality. Also on the main square is the bustling Hive cafe with excellent coffee, while Fine Arts Bistro is a top recommendation for breakfast, with some great vegetarian options (which is not always easy to find in Kentucky). Make sure you save some time to browse Off the Square and the Nadine West Book Co, which are both locally owned businesses and very welcoming. The Plaza Theater, which you'll spot at the south end of the square is a historic spot where performances and community events are held throughout the year. Cave tours at Mammoth do get busy so it's a good idea to book ahead. Across the south, you'll often hear counties boasting they have the best caves, but Mammoth really does have a legitimate claim here – it's home to the longest-known cave system in the world. To the south of Glasgow (a roughly 30-minute drive) at Barren River Lake State Resort park you can also hike, hire a canoe or boat, and play a round of golf, and there is a rustic lodge with rooms and cabins if you're keen to stay out in nature. Red River Gorge Under two hours from Louisville and a mere hour's drive from Lexington you can find yourself deep in some of Kentucky's most stunning nature. Red River Gorge is located in the Daniel Boone National Forest, which has long been popular with climbers and is fast becoming a desired destination for anyone who loves the outdoors. There are a few pleasant locally owned spots to base yourself in – Blackbird Cabin, which can be booked on Vrbo is a good choice – or you can immerse yourself in nature at Canopy Crew Treehouses and Cliffhouses. For camping, secure yourself a spot at Miguel's. A Red River institution, Miguel's Pizza has been serving delicious hot pies loaded with toppings since 1986. The surrounding campsite is a particular draw for climbers keen to explore the area, and the store is quite literally filled to the rafters with clothing and equipment. Other top spots for food include Redpoint BBQ and Red River Rockhouse, which serve classic American fare. If you're planning on climbing, Southeast Mountain Guides will help you plan the perfect trip, and also have a Via Ferrata that takes you around the cliff face and under a waterfall – it's terrifying and thrilling in equal measure. The Gorge Underground offers a kayaking experience like none other. Kitted out with helmets and head torches you explore a flooded underground limestone mine, which has been prettily lit up. For a mud-soaked rip-roaring ride, the staff at Red River Gorge Off-Road UTV Tours know how to have a good time, following trails that thunder through creeks, up hills and along mountainsides. Corbin For a taste of Appalachia without having to head deep into hill country, spend a day in Corbin, a small town nestled in the foothills of the mountains. The town holds the rather dubious accolade of being the home of the first ever KFC, and at the Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum you can learn about the (surprisingly chequered) past of the Colonel himself, as well as how KFC became the phenomenon it is. There's also a pinball museum, axe-throwing, several quirky little stores and boutiques, and some great spots to eat. Folktale is a very pleasant for coffee and pastries, while Wrigley's Taproom should be your first port of call for beers or bourbon. Corbin sits on the doorstep of some of the most accessible hiking, rafting, climbing and horse riding in the state. You're right next to Daniel Boone Forest, and just a 30-minute drive from the impressive Cumberland Falls. Pikeville Tucked in the northern corner of Kentucky right on the border with Virginia and West Virginia is Pike county, centred around the town of Pikeville. Thanks to its university and medical centre, Pikeville has thrived in recent years (while other eastern Kentucky towns have sadly struggled with poverty and unemployment), and there is plenty to do and see, especially if you love country music. Pikeville is on Kentucky's Country Music Highway, which is a road trip that takes you through key points in a region that has produced the likes of Loretta Lynn, Chris Stapleton, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tom T Hall, Dwight Yoakam and Patty Loveless – to name just a few. Pikeville is also the home of the legendary blood-filled Hatfield–McCoy Feud that started over a hog in 1878 and raged for decades between the two families, resulting in murder, bloody brawls and bitterness. It's a real lesson on not holding a grudge. At Chirico's Ristorante you can enjoy pizza, pasta and calzones in the building that Randolph McCoy (head of the McCoy clan) last called home. Ask the staff to show you the upstairs which is largely unchanged since McCoy lived there. Country music fans might want to make the pilgrimage to the former family home of Loretta Lynn, the coal miner's daughter, in Butch Hollow, just 45 minutes outside of Pikeville. Just note, it's worth calling ahead and arranging a tour, which starts at the Grocery Store. You can make the drive alone, but the road is narrow and the area has an interesting vibe, to say the least – my car was pursued by two furious barking guard dogs for a good 200 metres. My top tip for Pikeville: stop in and visit Tony and Jay from the Welcome Center out by Hardee's as soon as you arrive – their remarkable knowledge and enthusiasm for the area will give you more than enough ideas on how to spend your time in the county. The nearby town of Paintsville is quieter, but worth a wander – and make sure you stop in at The Coffee Shop for a brew. Airlines including British Airways, Delta, American Airlines and Virgin Atlantic fly to Louisville with one stop, often in Atlanta, Chicago or Charlotte. Flight time is usually somewhere between 12 and 14 hours. Alternatively, fly direct with British Airways to Nashville, which is just across the border from Kentucky in Tennessee, and rent a car.
Los Angeles Times
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Ranking the best new foods at Dodger Stadium — including the $40 forearm-long hot dog
'Hey, where did you get that?' 'Whoa, how much was that?' 'Is it any good? Can I have a bite?' I couldn't walk more than three feet at Wednesday's Dodger game without someone stopping me to ask about my Slugger. I was almost as popular as the Ohtani bobbleheads that evening. Almost. If you've visited Dodger Stadium, you've probably tried a Dodger dog, the garlic fries that stick with you for all nine innings and a helmet filled with carne asada nachos. But have you tried the new hot dog that's likely as long as your forearm? It's called the Slugger, and it was Dodger Stadium executive chef Christine Gerriets' favorite new dish to develop this year. 'We went through a lot of different variations of sausages and I reached out to my vendors and I said, 'Hey, I need a wow item,'' she says. 'I need something that people are going to be talking about.' The jalapeño cheddar sausage is 16 inches long, with the girth of the PVC pipe under my kitchen sink. 'It's definitely intimidating when you first see it and you're like, yeah, I'm not going to be able to eat this all on my own,' she says. I shared mine, and made my way through the stadium to try a handful of other new items introduced this season. Here's a breakdown of where to eat while you watch our defending world champions. And for the full ranking, check out our video below. This was the longest and slowest moving line of the evening, but nobody seemed to grumble. Diners were rewarded with a blue cardboard carrying case filled with a 16-inch sausage nestled into what seemed like an 8-inch bun, and a mound of fries on each side. The hot dog is smothered in cheese sauce, a corn relish, tortilla strips and a drizzle of cilantro cream. There is no graceful way to eat this, and the bun will collapse under the immense weight of the toppings. But the sausage is taut and blistered, full of melted cheddar with a punch of heat from the jalapeño. If you can find a plastic knife to cut the Slugger into four portions, there's not quite enough bun to go around, but there are enough toppings and fries to share. Just try to finish it in one seating. Weaving through the packed stadium crowd cradling my leftover Slugger was a challenge I'm proud of but not eager to repeat. It's a generous bowl of fluffy white rice, creamy coleslaw and big nuggets of fried chicken. The chicken is coated in a thick gochujang glaze that subdues any crunch, but it's sweet and spicy enough to leave you licking your fingers. This home plate-shaped box was one of the items Gerriets says she and her team 'upgraded' this year. Last season there were tempura vegetables. This year, there's a mound of white rice with teriyaki chicken, spring rolls, fried dumplings, blistered shishito peppers, sweet chili sauce and extra teriyaki sauce for dipping. Both the spring rolls and fried dumplings are crisp, filled with chopped vegetables and served hot enough to burn your mouth. The chicken tastes charbroiled, the shishito peppers break up the beige with some welcome green and the rice is a tad mushy but edible. It's enough food for two, if you feel like sharing. It's loaded as advertised, completely blanketed in a hulking mass of macaroni and cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, fried onions, chopped bell peppers and barbecue sauce. Brisket is listed on the menu as the included shredded barbecue, but my potato tasted like it was covered in pulled pork. The spud underneath was more of a solid boulder than a soft, fluffy cushion. It could have used more time in the oven and was sadly bland. But the toppings were enough to save the potato from striking out. This is a pastrami sandwich masquerading as a burger, with a pile of thinly sliced, lean pastrami that spills from the middle of the potato bun. The burger, its American cheese, lettuce, tomato and pickles get lost under all the pastrami. This is more of an observation than a criticism. If you're in the mood for pastrami, this is the burger for you. It's tempting to go with the churro sundae. Each of the 10 people in front of me ordered it. But I implore you to try the sweet bread sundae at your next game. Originally listed on the menu as a sweet cheese quesadilla, fans expecting the Mexican-style quesadillas of cheese-filled tortillas were confused. It's a quesadilla Salvadoreña, a pan dulce comparable to pound cake. It's crumbled over your choice of soft serve, with a mountain of whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce. Though the quesadillas are typically made with rice flour, the Dodger version tasted like a cross between a corn cake and a cookie crumble that was slightly sweet. Equally crisp and chewy, the texture made for an excellent ice cream topping. There's more of a whisper than a wallop of pickle flavor, but the tots are hot, fresh and crispy. And they come with two sides of ranch. The Gindaco takoyaki chain has hundreds of locations throughout Japan that specialize in one of Shohei Ohtani's favorite foods. The franchise opened at Dodger stadium in March 2024 with different varieties of the battered octopus fritters. New this year are the takoyaki umami, with Kewpie mayo, dashi sauce and bonito flakes. The orbs are perfectly round, cooked in hemispherical molds until a crisp shell forms and the inside becomes a soft, custardy pancake studded with bits of octopus. The crispy chicken katsu is properly lubricated with enough Kewpie mayo to make the condiment feel like an actual layer of the sandwich. It's a tall, decadent sandwich made even more lavish by the amount of butter on each of the five toasted slices of bread. The pieces of fried chicken are crisp patties of meat coated in golden panko. They're layered with bacon, tomato, an avocado spread and arugula. I will admit that arugula is a questionable choice of lettuce on a club, but the crunch of iceberg isn't missed and the arugula contributes a nice peppery flavor to the rest of the sandwich. And it's one of the more affordable options at the stadium. If you rearrange that fourth slice of bread, you can split the sandwich in two.
