LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers didn’t just bring championship shine to downtown on Wednesday afternoon — they brought it straight into the nerve center that helps keep Los Angeles running when things go sideways.
At the Los Angeles Emergency Management Department, staff who coordinate citywide responses got a midweek surprise visit as part of the club’s “Dodgers Love LA” community tour, presented by Bank of America. And yes, the hardware came with them: the 2024 and 2025 World Series trophies, parked for photos like they belonged there (because, in a way, they did).
Director Carol Parks set the tone right away, beaming as she welcomed the group and explained how the visit came together. “I am so happy that the Dodgers organization agreed to surprise us today,” Parks said. “I just wanted something really simple. And when they told me what all they were going to do, I was like, ‘Wow.’” She laughed about the realities of a packed inbox, too: “I just happened to read the right email at the right time… that one popped up, stood out, and I acted on it right away.”
From there, Dodgers Vice President of Community Relations Kristin McCowan made it clear this wasn’t just a quick photo op — it was part of how the organization marks the start of a new season. “This is our Dodgers Love LA community tour week presented by Bank of America,” she said, noting the partnership has lasted “for over 20 years.” For the Dodgers, she added, “this is really the kickoff to our new season every year… we go out all over the region and we meet with groups.”
McCowan didn’t miss the moment to salute the people in the room, calling first responders and public servants “a huge part of our community.” She also pointed to behind-the-scenes work EMD has done with the team in recent years. “(They) have sat with us in the command post as we execute the parade,” she said, giving credit to the staff who helped the city navigate championship celebrations. Then she brought it back to the real stuff: “We are immensely grateful to all of you for the work that you do every day.”
And then came the fan-favorite part of the afternoon: Dodger alumnus Billy Ashley, stepping up with an easy smile and the kind of clubhouse honesty that plays anywhere. He looked out at the room and made a simple wish for the people who end up in that command center when it matters most. “Hopefully you guys don’t have to spend a whole lot of time in there,” he said. “But knowing and looking at all these faces out there, I know you guys take this job very seriously… we know that you guys have our back.”
Ashley also took questions — including one that immediately turned the room into a baseball debate show. Asked about the Giants and that 2021 moment when Max Scherzer struck out Wilmer Flores on a check swing to end the NLDS, he grinned and went for it: “Absolutely,” he said when asked if Flores went around. (Ashley’s right on that one. I think). Then he tossed a friendly jab at the non-Dodger fans in attendance: “We always love to have fans that are on opposing teams because… we eventually beat [them].”
Between the speeches and the Q&A, everyone went home with a free Dodgers hat and T-shirt courtesy of Bank of America, plus the chance to snap photos with Ashley and the two trophies — a pretty fun way to say thanks to the folks who usually don’t get applause until the work is already done.
