LOS ANGELES-The Los Angeles Dodgers were the first team in Major League Baseball history to integrate. So it is fitting that the ballclub that brought us Jackie Robinson, would salute other African Americans considered to be icons in the sport.
On a night where the Dodgers’ bats did most of the talking against the New York Mets in the opening salvo of a short series at Dodger Stadium, three legends were celebrated. The Dodgers racked up 10 runs in defeating the Mets by the score of 10-6 on Monday, June 19. Thanks to a couple of dingers, the Dodgers got out early and didn’t look back.
Chase Utley barely beats the throw to home plate against the New York Mets to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a run on Monday, June 19, 2017. Photo by Astrud Reed for News4usonline
But before the Dodgers put up their offensive display, the team honored three legendary major league baseball players in Don Newcombe, Maury Wills and Frank Robinson during the pre-game ceremony as part of the franchise’s African American Heritage Night celebration.
LA Dodgers rookie, Cody Bellinger, adds a late inning hit to his record setting night. Bellinger’s first and second inning home runs made him the fastest player in Major League history to hit 21 out. Photo by Astrud Reed for News4usonline
The 91-year-old Newcombe was the 1949 National League Rookie of the Year, the 1956 Cy Young Award winner and won the National League MVP the same year. The base-stealing Wills led the league in steals in six years, including his breakout 104 stolen bases in 1962. Robinson, a Hall of Fame player, became the first African American to become a manager in Major League Baseball in 1974.
The New York Mets tried to make a game of it against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday, June 19, 2017. After the Dodgers jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead, the Mets rallied. The rally would fall short as the Dodgers prevailed 10-6. Photo by Astrud Reed for News4usonline
US Congressowman Maxine Waters (Center) attend the Los Angeles Dodgers African American Heitage Night celebration on Monday, June 19, 2017. Photo by Astrud Reed for News4usonline
The pre-game cereomines got the juices flowing with beautiful singing during the Los Angeles Dodgers African American Heritage Night event. Photo by Astrud Reed for News4usonline
The wonderous talents of the BYTHAX Ensemble singing a rendition of the National Anthem was part of the pre-game ceremonies of the Los Angeles Dodgers African American Heritage Night celebration. Photo by Astrud Reed for News4usonline ‘
The great Maury Wills is greeted by current Dodgers on Monday, June 19, 2017. Wills, along with Frank Robinson and Don Newcombe was honored during the team’s African American Heritage Night celebration. In 1962, Wills stole 104 bases as the National League MVP. Photo by Astrud Reed for News4usonline
New York Mets shortstop, Jose Reyes, celebrates with teammate, Curtis Granderson, after hitting a two run homer in the top of the 7th inning and knocking Clayton Kershaw out of the game. Granderson had two home runs on the night. Kershaw gave up a career-high four home runs in Monday’s game. Photo by Astrud Reed for News4usonline
Besides saluting and honoring Don Newcombe, Maury Wills and Frank Robinson, the Los Angeles Dodgers also paid homage to the military. Photo by Astrud Reed for News4usonline
