A Doug's Life: Dodgers or Padres, L.A. or San Diego... Must I Choose?

Yes, it's that time of year again. Today marks the baseball season opener for the Los Angeles Dodgers -- a team I rooted for growing up and later covered for nearly 10 years as a sports writer and columnist.

Oh, yeah. I neglected to mention that the Dodgers' opponent today -- and the home team for the four-game series -- is the San Diego Padres.

And here I sit in Menifee, caught in the middle.

I have written previously about the identity crisis I see for the community of Menifee. It seems you can't decide whether to be:

-- A retirement community with some nice new homes on the other side of the tracks (OK, freeway).

-- A tradition-rich farming community that is changing with the times.

-- A few thousand Generation Y'ers who have set up camp in tract homes and are ready to take over.

Obviously, the goal is to be a successful combination of all three. Hopefully, that's possible. But what about when it comes to sports teams? In that area, it's all or nothing, right?

Is this a Dodgers town or a Padres town? Or even an Angels town?

I need to know, because this whole sports fan thing is merely one aspect of a bigger picture. As a Menifee resident for six months now, I feel the need to declare my metropolitan allegiance. So either I'm a transplanted, loyal Angeleno or a born-again, relocated San Diegan.

Help me out here. Which side of the fence am I supposed to be on?

I've seen several Padres decals on cars and SD caps in the crowds around here. It took a while for me to realize we're only a little more than 70 miles from San Diego. Frankly, I haven't been down there since I moved here.

I guess I still identify with the L.A. crowd, because I spend a few days a week driving west on the 60 Freeway. But hey, Dodger Stadium is only 83 miles and about 90 minutes from here. That's not exactly a cross-country trip. And if you're an Albert Pujols fan and like a somewhat safer environment, Angel Stadium is the closest of all three ballparks -- just over 50 miles and an hour's drive.

So am I supposed to be a San Diego guy, an L.A. guy or -- gulp -- an Orange County guy?

I just want to fit in with the crowd. OK, so I may travel around town wearing a Chicago Cubs cap. Sorry, I'm not giving that up. It's the same underdog obsession that had me rooting for the Clippers before they were good. But I am willing to jump on the Padres bandwagon if it will get me a membership card in the Menifee Insiders Club.

It's human nature to want to belong. I will never turn my back on the Dodgers, but I'm willing to give the Padres a chance. On a larger scale, I am willing to start hanging out in Old Town and Mission Bay if it makes me one of the guys.

While awaiting your advice, I will revert to my "objective" sports writing method of watching baseball. There will be "no cheering in the press box" today while I take note of what both squads are doing.

I will also be giving thanks that I no longer have to file 800 words on the contest by 11 p.m.