INGLEWOOD — So much for the rap that Dodgers fans show up late for games.
The first “Let’s go, Dodgers!’” chant started about 2:20 a.m. outside the shared reality venue known as Cosm.
While the Dodgers were preparing to start their season against the Chicago Cubs nearly 5,500 miles away in Tokyo at 7 p.m. local time Tuesday, hundreds of hardcores lined along District Drive in Inglewood, at a dark and brisk 50 degrees, for what many believed was the next best thing to being there.
And those roughly 700 fans went home happy when Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott struck out the last Cub at 5:49 a.m. for a 4-1 victory that set off the traditional “I Love L.A.” victory tune.
Nydia Gamarro came from Covina, plied and pumped up on coffee and candy, to cheer on her Boys in Blue in her first time at Cosm.
“It was pretty awesome. I would do it again in a heartbeat,” said Gamarro, who said she will be up at 3 a.m. again Wednesday, but this time to watch the Dodgers’ second game from home.
Corey Breton, head of venues at Cosm, was situated by the exit in the later innings, conversing with fans as they left. To him, it’s more than just a game for the fans.
“I would say we brought fans to Tokyo, like, legitimately brought them to Tokyo,” Breton said. “I just saw a young kid going to class, and he’s like, ‘I’ll never forget this moment.’ So I believe we’re creating lifelong memories and transporting people.”
Upon entering Cosm, music like 2Pac’s “California Love” serenaded the fans as they found their way to their spots.
Some forked over up to $200 to plant themselves in a booth in front of an 87-foot diameter, 3-story 8K LED extravaganza. If you couldn’t afford the airfare to Japan and the $11,000 price tag for a seat, being in The Dome like you were inside the Tokyo Dome sufficed.
On the first level is a reserved section of booths and swivel chairs residing at the bottom of the dome – think of being in the first row in a movie theater – for a different kind of star-gazing.
Others opted for the $28 general admission ticket, allowing you first-come, first-served limited views and places to sit or stand on all three levels.
That was the approach of Vanessa Gomez and Christian Garcia, who live in Inglewood and wanted to take it all in. Garcia, a lifelong resident of the City of Champions who said he grew up learning how to drive in The Forum parking lot, noted that their drive along Arbor Vitae Street was a sign of the event’s popularity.
“I live less than two minutes away. It took me 15 minutes to get here in a car.,” Garcia said.
Gomez works overnight at Sprouts, so the early-morning first pitch didn’t faze her. As much as they considered pulling an all-nighter, she said they napped for a few hours before.
“I know a lot of people are coming to me like, ‘Oh, 3 a.m.? I’d rather watch it at the comfort of my home’ and stuff,” she said. “But like, being surrounded by other Dodger fans is such a great experience. Like you can never get over it. Sharing that enthusiasm of like a home run or whatever the case, it’s just fantastic.”
Breton said it’s that shared passion in a type of virtual yet all-too-real reality that appeals to the true fans.
And those faithful vary, from supporting hometown favorites to teams across the pond. While some English Premier League fans will never have the opportunity to see a soccer match at fabled Anfield in person, at Cosm it’s about as good as it gets.
“I think it’s the fandom that comes out, you know, and you have this affinity towards a team, towards a club, and you typically can attach yourself to it like you can only watch it on TV at home,” Breton said. “And what we’re trying to do is provide somebody the best seats in the house and every single time to the most marquee events across the globe, and literally transport fans there.
“And as you see in Level Two, if you’re sitting there, you look to the left, you look to the right, you feel as if you are in the stands with the fans, you know? Real life. And that’s unique into what we’re able to do.”
Granted, there weren’t any Dodger Dogs to be seen or consumed Tuesday. Nor was there any $16 beer one begrudgingly finds at Dodger Stadium – it was past 2 a.m. after all – but if the game went long enough, the bartenders were setting up to start serving at 6 a.m.
Staffers roamed between booths, tables and patrons delivering plenty of water, soda and energy drinks, with server Carl Bartlett saying the wings and Korean corn cheese nachos were especially popular.
Bartlett, who between World Series and Super Bowls said he’s seen as many as 1,600 people inside Cosm, arrived at 1:30 a.m. for his shift and the fans were already queued up.
“This is Dodgertown. You know what I mean? Game one,” Bartlett said. “We’re not at (Chavez) Ravine right now. We’re here. Where else can you time travel and be in Tokyo and L.A. at the same time?”
The overwhelming hometown contingent showed out in various blue and white Dodgers apparel, with an occasional Cubs fan sighting.
Kevin Arevalo of Burbank said he grew up a Cubs fan because his dad always picked the Cubs when they played Xbox.
Sporting a Cubs jersey with his name and the No. 24 of former Dodger and Cub Cody Bellinger on the back, Arevalo said he had yet to sleep but was feeling good despite some good-natured ribbing from the opposing fans.
“I’ve been trying to come here ever since they opened, so being able to come here for the first game of the Cubs and Dodgers, I’m excited for it and I like it,” Arevalo said. “I would say maybe they can improve on the sound, but overall I’ve enjoyed it.”
Cosm, with a capacity up to 2,000, appeared to pass its first true middle-of-the-night audition, though they’re well-experienced with bleary-eyed patrons – Premier League games start as early as 5:30 a.m.
The immersive experience that seemingly never sleeps, Cosm will be back at it again later Tuesday with NCAA Tournament play-in games at 3:30 and 6 p.m. March Madness awaits with a heavy slate for the remainder of the month.
And of course, there’s another 3 a.m. Dodgers-Cubs game early Wednesday from Tokyo.
“We’re 365, seven days a week, three events a day, 1,000 events in a year,” Breton said.
