After a 6-1 homestand to start the regular season, the Los Angeles Dodgers began their first road trip by visiting the Chicago Cubs for three games at Wrigley Field.
The weekend series gave Jason Heyward an opportunity to return to the city that he has made the biggest impact in his baseball career and where he calls home. The 34-year-old played seven seasons with the Cubs and helped them end their 108-year World Series championship drought in 2016.
Heyward did not get a chance to face his former team due to being on the 10-day injured list with lower back tightness, but he still brightened the day of several local youth baseball players.
Heyward surprised kids at his baseball academy on Chicago’s West Side, along with the likes of Mookie Betts, Tyler Glasnow, Daniel Hudson, Alex Vesia, Ryan Yarbrough and more Dodgers teammates.
Jason and his Dodger teammates surprised kids at the Jason Heyward Baseball Academy tonight. They talked to the kids about baseball, took photos and signed some autographs. pic.twitter.com/HldnpEylTc
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 6, 2024
The Jason Heyward Baseball Academy opened in 2023 and is located at the North Austin Center, a 10-acre campus for education, sports and wellness.
The $35 million facility has a Major League-sized infield and provides sports training and leadership development programs for local kids and their families.
In addition to the indoor field, the 120,000-square foot space features Chicago Fire FC Field — the city’s largest indoor turf field — as well as classrooms, an auditorium and two full size basketball courts.
Heyward attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of his academy last year and said his hope is that it encourages more children to play baseball.
Dave Roberts hopeful Jason Heyward makes quick return
Heyward missed multiple games over the first week of the regular season and was placed on the 10-day injured list April 3. He could potentially be activated off the IL at the end of next week if all he needs is the minimum amount of time.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hopes that is the case but did not give an exact timeline for when Heyward might return to the team.
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