The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic not only put sports on hold, but shut down the United States economy and essentially brought the world to a halt as well.
Now months removed from states implementing stay-at-home orders and various guidelines, there’s been a gradual build up toward returning to normalcy. Although Major League Baseball continues to lag behind, the NBA is poised to return at the end of July, and the NHL and MLS have their plans as well.
And while various sectors of the economy have begun to re-open, graduation ceremonies for the class of 2020 have been anything but traditional. The Los Angeles Dodgers recognized graduating students through a video that featured manager Dave Roberts, Joc Pederson and Justin Turner.
Each wished congratulations to the 2020 class and offered words of encouragement.
To the Class of 2020,
Congratulations! You worked hard and it paid off. We need your voices and leadership now more than ever. We’re counting on you and cannot wait to see what the future holds.
Your biggest fan,
The Los Angeles Dodgers pic.twitter.com/t0lWE43pW0
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 15, 2020
Clayton Kershaw, Kiké Hernandez, Max Muncy and Joe Kelly previously participated in a virtual graduation ceremony that Spectrum News 1 organized for local students.
Earlier this year the team visited Saugus High School for a stop during the 2020 Dodgers Love L.A. Community Tour. The visit marked a second consecutive year the Dodgers’ annual community week made a stop where a tragic shooting took place.
In January 2018, the Dodgers participated in a luncheon with first responders and people affected by the massacre at Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks.
“I’m glad we’re able to do this, when it’s still on their minds,” Ross Stripling said. “The shooting was two months ago, so still very fresh. The Dodgers do a good job of getting out in the community.”
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in our shows, and more!
