The Dodgers will open the 2016 season with ten guys on the disabled list. In my many years as a fan I don’t remember ever seeing anything even remotely close to this. Granted, a couple names on the list will only be there for a short time – guys like Howie Kendrick and Yasmani Grandal – but many of the others figure to be there until or even beyond the All-Star break.

But there’s another Dodger on the disabled list, one whose return date is unknown. No, he’s not a pitcher recovering from shoulder or elbow surgery, or an outfielder suffering from a broken leg, or an infielder with a strained hamstring or calf muscle. In fact, he’s not actually a Dodger player at all – at least not in the true sense of the word. But make no mistake about it, he has as much Dodger Blue in his blood as anyone who has ever worn a Dodger uniform. His name is Ron Cooper and although this name may not ring a bell for many Dodger fans, his nickname most certainly will. He is known as “Deep Left” and he is – hands down – one of the biggest Dodger fans on the planet.

Last week I received a text message from “Deep” (as he is affectionately known by his closest friends) informing myself and several others in our close-nit group that he would begin the season on the DL. Cooper related that several weeks ago a growth had been discovered on his lower spine. Like anyone would, he immediately feared the worst – that it might be cancer. Fortunately, and that is a serious understatement, further tests revealed that is was non-cancerous; however, it was causing tremendous pain for the longtime Dodger fan.

“It’s probably going to be about six weeks of physical therapy til I’ll be able to make it to a game and I may not be able to sit on those bench seats for a long time,” said Cooper in his text. “No surgery required at this point, just exercise to build up the back and leg muscles. It’s a part of old age where I’m losing muscle strength. Old age sucks!”

Word.

“Last year I went to 80 of the 81 games and it took its toll,” Cooper added. “About the end of October was when the back problem really became apparent. I started realizing a few years back that my days are numbered in the Pavilion. I’ll hit 70 [years old] in October.”

Deep Left is as big a part of the Left Field Pavilion as the the jumbotron.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

As most Dodger fans know – especially us senior Dodger fans – the hard wooden benches and seemingly even harder wooden backrests (if that’s even possible) in the pavilions tend to become a bit uncomfortable after a few innings (or a few minutes). As such, Cooper is not sure if he will be able to endure the discomfort. But as he so often does, the retired studio worker exudes enthusiasm and will make every effort to return to his home away from home in the LFP. And if he can no longer deal with the the uncomfortable bleachers, he says that he will relocate elsewhere in the historic stadium.

“I may try to buy a seat on the Loge level. That way I can still visit with all my friends before the games, just as I’ve always done,” said Cooper.

Missing next week’s Home Opener at Dodger Stadium is going to be especially difficult for Cooper. It will be the first one he has missed since becoming a season ticket holder out in the Left Field Pavilion in 2001. But he plans to watch every game on television this season so he won’t miss any of Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully’s call of the home games.

“Because of where I live [in the San Fernando Valley], I get Time Warner Cable,” Cooper said. “So I’ll be watching every pitch. I’m so glad I have TWC – except when the cable bill comes in.”

Although all of Deep Left’s friends are glad that he is on the road to recovery and that he gets to watch every game on TV, they will sorely miss his contagious smile and his endless enthusiasm. They will miss his pre-game stories and laughter and his rally towel waving whenever a Dodger player hits a home run. They will miss the little dance that he does and the high-fives he gives as he exits the LFP after a Dodgers win. But most of all, they will miss his sincere and genuine friendship.

Get well soon, Deep Left!
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Hurry back, Deep – this is waaay too much missing for us to handle.