Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Dodgers had an off day on Thursday (and I know, they’ve been a little “off” a lot lately), and they made good use of it. After taking a two-year break during the pandemic, the Dodgers Foundation Blue Diamond Gala made a stunning return to LA.
Dodger players and their spouses and girlfriends were dressed to the nines as they arrived at Dodger Stadium for the event. It was all in support the of Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. And as a special treat and thank you to the donors who shelled out beaucoup donations to be there, the LADF presented a special night of entertainment, headlined by a set from LA’s favorite thing from the Bronx, JLo herself, Jennifer Lopez.
“They told me that 8.8 million children’s lives are touched by this foundation every year. Give yourselves a round of applause, a pat on the back,” she said from the stage. “We all know that children are going to take over this world and we need to take care of them, raise them right, teach them how to give, give them what they need, and to help one another. That’s really why you’re here tonight.”
The event raised a record-breaking $3.6 million to support LADF in its mission to improve education, health care, homelessness and social justice in Los Angeles.
The Dodger players, too, recognized the significance of the fesitivities. “It’s important to recognize our community and our fans and everything that’s going on around this great stadium,” said Justin Turner. “There’s so much need and so many people who are impacted by the Dodgers’ Foundation. We couldn’t be happier to be here to support them and all their initiatives, which by the way are amazing. It’s such a wide-reaching program from reading to glasses to baseball fields to inner city, it’s just really incredible everything they’re doing.”
The night also showcased the Inglewood High School Marching Band, the MACES Band, and the Woodcraft Rangers Mariachi and Folklorico Program from Middleton Elementary School. The gala ended with a post-show party featuring the spinning talents of the Dodgers’ in-house DJ, DJ Severe and food from California Pizza Kitchen, Dunkin’, Melissa’s Produce, Milk Bar and In-N-Out.
The event was definitely a hit with everyone in attendance. Now, if we could only get a hit with runners in scoring position….
