Engaged Dodgers fans enjoy 'Bucks on the Pond'
Miguel Lozano and Katie Reck are getting married on Oct. 24, and they are in luck if the Dodgers make it to the World Series. That would be the travel day after Game 2, and the day before the 110th Fall Classic returns for the first time since 1988 to Dodger Stadium.
Of course, things have to work out right for them and their favorite Major League Baseball team, but they are liking this season so far. The Dodgers keep rolling along in first place in the National League West, and this couple from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., was in the right place at the right time to star in the latest episode of the hit MLB.com game show "Bucks on the Pond" powered by Ford.
Lozano is a police officer and Reck is a registered nurse. When the "Bucks" crew caught up with them before a recent home game, they had seats in Loge, section 131. They were there to celebrate his 25th birthday, their upcoming wedding, and an expected win on the field.
"It reminded us of why we love the Dodgers so much," Reck said in an email to MLB.com. "You can always be certain that an outing at Dodger Stadium will produce a great time, but 'Bucks on the Pond' took our trip to the next level. Great time, with great people."
"Bucks" is hosted by Jeremy Brisiel and you might be a part of this season when you least expect it. Fans at the ballpark interact with MLB.com's studio through the magic of technology in conjunction with game action inside, and new episodes are posted each Tuesday and Friday.
Contestants are asked a trivia question -- general knowledge and baseball -- on each pitch during a half-inning of baseball. Get the question correct and win money. Get the question wrong and it's a strike. Three strikes and you're out.
The questions' difficulty and value increase with the number of outs in the on-field action: $5 easy questions to start, $10 medium-difficulty questions after one out, $20 hard questions after two outs. If the contestant lasts longer than the team's at-bat, they win the bucks in their bank -- and Ford matches those winnings with a donation to Wounded Warrior Project.
Cross the $100 mark during the show, and it's time for "Say the Word" powered by Ford SYNC. You can wager any part of your bank on that next question, which is asked each episode by Hall of Famer Frank Thomas. Answer correctly and you win, answer incorrectly and you lose that amount . . . and it's another strike.
"It's an awesome game show with fun brain teasers," Reck said, "but the best is that Ford matches the winnings for our country's heroes through Wounded Warriors."
You'll have to watch the video here to see whether that happened. Topics in this episode include: oceans, outfielders, movie titles, stinky animals, college life, Dodger pitchers, pop stars, the woods, international capitals, "Take Me Out To The Ball Game," Dodger RBI leaders and Cameron Diaz films.
Reck said Yasiel Puig is her favorite Dodger. Why?
"I don't know. I like how young he is," she said. "I just saw him on SportsCenter and I thought he was really attractive. . . . just a huge fan of his."
Her fiance was asked if he is cool with that.
"I try my hardest to look like him," he said, "but it's pretty hard."
Last October, Lozano was at Dodger Stadium when Juan Uribe sent the Dodgers to the National League Championship Series, clubbing that eighth-inning homer against the Braves in Game 4 of their NL Division Series. "There was so much energy in the crowd, it was amazing," he recalls.
Who knows? This October could be even more amazing. Like Katie says, "Go big or go home."
Imagine the Dodgers back in a World Series, the first two games at an American League ballpark to be determined, and then a Friday night where there is no game but everyone buzzing about the Dodgers as a couple exchange nuptials in Temecula. Hey, it could happen.
For now, they enjoy the spotlight of "Bucks" and a high-profile on dodgers.com.
"It was a lot of fun," Lozano said. "Getting a chance to win some money is always a plus."
In addition to the Dodgers, teams visited by the "Bucks" crew include the Angels, Astros, Athletics, Brewers, Cardinals, Cubs, D-backs, Giants, Indians, Mariners, Marlins, Mets, Orioles, Padres, Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, Reds, Rockies, Royals, Tigers, Twins, White Sox and Yankees. Bookmark MLB.com/bucks and be on the lookout for the "Bucks" crew at your ballpark.