While the Los Angeles Dodgers were in the midst of a seven-game road trip, Dodger Stadium was the site of a special naturalization ceremony last week. More than 2,100 people took the oath of allegiance, with Fernando Valenzuela among those participating.
The new United States citizens are from 120 different countries, with the top five represented being Mexico, El Salvador, the Philippines, Iran and Guatemala.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services partnered with the Dodgers to make the ceremony possible, which was the first of its kind at Dodger Stadium.
In addition to being the home of the Dodgers for the last 60 years, Dodger Stadium is occasionally used for other important events.
More than 2,100 U.S. citizenship candidates gathered at Dodger Stadium this morning for a naturalization ceremony on the field. As part of the ceremony, Fernando Valenzuela received an Outstanding Americans by Choice recognition. pic.twitter.com/Y8iDJTyndW
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 29, 2022
The ballpark served as a mass COVID-19 testing location at the start of the coronavirus pandemic before eventually transitioning to a vaccination site.
Multiple charity events are also held at Dodger Stadium, including annual turkey giveaways for Thanksgiving, and Clayton Kershaw hosting Kershaw’s Challenge Ping Pong 4 Purpose.
Valenzuela paid tribute to legendary Dodgers scout Mike Brito
Valenzuela was among the many with ties to the Dodgers organization who paid tribute to legendary scout Mike Brito after he passed away in July at the age of 87.
Brito convinced the Dodgers to sign Valenzuela out of Mexico in 1979. Prior to that, fewer than 40 players born in the country had ever played in the Majors.
“Mike was a great man and instrumental in my success as a baseball player on and off the field,” Valenzuela said. “No one loved the Dodger organization more than Mike and we will all miss him very much. My prayers go out to his wife, Rosario, and all of his family and friends.”
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