Last year the Los Angeles Dodgers took a tradition typically reserved for rookies and expanded it to involve all members of their traveling party. After sweeping the San Diego Padres, players, Alanna Rizzo, David Vassegh, Jaime Jarrín and others dressed in costumes.
Participants were permitted to decide their own theme and partner up, work in groups of threes, etc. Some took inspiration from pop culture, while others referenced movie characters, the NFL and NBA.
For Ross Stripling, the decision was easy. He recruited Tony Gonsolin, and the two went as Forrest Gump and Lieutenant Dan. Hyun-Jin Ryu also was among the most well received, as he and his interpreter and trainer dressed as the famed sharks from Katy Perry’s Super Bowl performance.
Cody Bellinger went as Los Angeles Lakers All-Star LeBron James, complete with a pair of his signature Nike shoes. Bellinger shouted to Joc Pederson for clarification on which shoes he was slipping on, then claimed to have the best sneakers in the clubhouse.
Bellinger partnered with Joe Kelly, who was dressed as a taco with Tuesday across the shell. The reference was of course to James’ recent phenomenon of celebrating Taco Tuesday. During an interview on Lakers Media Day, James gave Bellinger and Kelly his stamp of approval.
James’ weekly recognition was interrupted by the Getty Fire, though he sent a taco truck to first responders. James then led a “Taco Tuesday” chant from the Lakers bench during the fourth quarter of their win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Joc Pederson was among the Dodgers to dress up as an NFL player, wearing a custom No. 31 Philadelphia Eagles jersey with his last name on the back. He completed the look with a helmet, arm sleeves and finger tape. Gavin Lux also wore a custom Eagles jersey.
Kenley Jansen dressed as Batman and Dustin May put face makeup on to create an authentic-looking Pennywise from “It.” Noted USC Trojans fan Justin Turner and Notre Dame alumni A.J. Pollock put on the universities’ respective uniforms. Kiké Hernandez an David Freese combined to serve as a faux drug testing duo.
Players casted their votes for the best costumes during the chartered flight to San Francisco. Gonsolin and Stripling were the winners.
The top five was rounded out by Thomas Albert (assistant athletic trainer) placing second as the Joker, May at No. 3, SportsNet LA producer Mike Levy finished fourth with his spot-on Ken Rosenthal costume, and Jarrín was fifth as Mike Brito.
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