The 162-game season can become quite the grueling schedule for any team. The Los Angeles Dodgers, while fierce competitors who appear to be on a mission, do their part to enjoy light-hearted moments that extend beyond the baseball diamond.
That also includes being active in the community to help provide for those in need. Such is the case with the ‘whipped cream challenge,’ which is the latest craze to sweep across clubhouses and social media. It benefits the 17Strong Foundation, a non-profit organization made in honor of the late Ryan Teixeira.
The challenge aims to increase awareness for the foundation, which serves young adults with life-threatening illnesses. Former Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis issued a challenge to Kiké Hernandez, Joc Pederson and Justin Turner.
The trio accepted it on Tuesday and issued out their own challenges:
I nominate @Adrian_ElTitan #DaveRoberts and @OrelHershiser to complete the @17strong_org #WhippedCreamChallenge pic.twitter.com/pOLuljCerp
— Justin Turner (@redturn2) July 18, 2017
Turner passed on the whipped cream challenge to Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, and broadcaster Orel Hershiser. Hernandez called out Javier Baez of the Chicago Cubs, along with Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros.
Lastly, Pederson issued a challenge to former teammate Howie Kendrick, Matt Szczur of the San Diego Padres, and Dodgers broadcaster Alanna Rizzo. The initiative hits particularly close to home for Turner, who visited Teixeira in the hospital last December.
Two years ago, Hernandez, Yasiel Puig, Hyun-Jin Ryu and other Dodgers participated in the ice bucket challenge to benefit the ALS Association.