The final day of the 2023 Los Angeles Dodgers Love L.A. Community Tour saw a large contingent of players visit Whittier High School for a pep rally, signing and games.
The Dodgers were represented by Austin Barnes, Julio Urías, Brusdar Graterol, Ryan Pepiot, Tony Gonsolin, Miguel Vargas, Phil Bickford, Michael Grove, Justin Bruihl, Diego Cartaya, Miguel Rojas, Shelby Miller, Noah Syndergaard, James Outman, Andre Jackson, J.P. Feyereisen, Michael Busch, Yency Almonte, Fernando Valenzuela and Nomar Garciaparra.
Jeff Garcia, Jackie Ramirez and DJ Lechero from “The Cruz Show” on iHeart’s REAL 92.3 served as emcees of the event.
The day’s highlights included Outman winning a competition of eating an Oreo by getting it from his forehead to mouth without using hands; and Almonte, Gonsolin, Graterol and Urías participating in finish the lyric with students.
“It was good to see competitions between the classes,” Almonte said. “They all want to win their own game, but it’s also about just being here, having a good time and having fun.”
Some of the Dodgers who were on hand for the pep rally also joined the team at prior stops during their 19th annual community service week.
“I think it’s very important. It goes beyond baseball,” Almonte said of the initiative. “We’re going to the community and showing love to all our fans. They come out to see us, so why shouldn’t we go out and see them?”
For Garciaparra, the Dodgers’ visit to Whittier High School represented a homecoming of sorts.
“I grew up probably about five minutes from this high school,” he said. “I didn’t go to this high school, but I walked by it and rode my bike by it regularly when I was going to elementary school not too far from here.
“When I look at these kids and look at the energy, I want them to remember you can do whatever you want. I would tell them to dream big, because that’s what I did.
“I think the Dodgers have done an unbelievable job reaching out to the community. I thought the event was outstanding. The way they were playing games with the kids and bringing them out, every class was represented. The players got involved, and you saw the smiles on their faces as well, which was really cool. I thought they put on a great event.”
Dodgers at Jack in the Box; Monterey Park visit
After leaving the pep rally, the Dodgers had some players go to a local Jack in the Box, while the rest of the group joined additional members from the organization and front office to pay their respects to the victims from the Monterey Park mass shooting and honor first responders.
We honor the victims, community and first responders of the city of Monterey Park. pic.twitter.com/D5Y9JdRxJJ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 3, 2023
The Dodgers previously expressed condolences over lives lost during the Lunar New Year Celebration at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio.
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