Prior to the Los Angeles Dodgers clinching the 2013 National League West title at Chase Field, the Arizona Diamondbacks requested they not celebrate excessively on the field in the event of wrapping up the division.
The Dodgers held the traditional celebration in the clubhouse but returned to the field and raced for the pool beyond the fence in right-center. Several players made quite the splash, which agitated the Diamondbacks organization.
Ahead of the Game 3 of the NL Division Series, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts emphatically said his team would take part in a similar celebration if they eliminated the Diamondbacks at home. He referenced the team’s focus on the larger goal — winning a World Series.
The Dodgers went on to win Game 3 to complete a sweep of the Diamondbacks, and Roberts’ word held true as the team remained in the clubhouse for an NLDS celebration.
Gabe Alvitre, wearing a Fernando Valenzuela jersey, did the honor for them however, by doing a cannonball immediately after Kenley Jansen struck out Paul Goldschmidt to the end the game, via Rich Stephenson on Twitter:
@ChadMoriyama @truebluela @Dodgers fan @GAlvitre celebrates #NLDS victory after SWEEP of #Dbacks by jumping into Chase Field pool. pic.twitter.com/reYZdAFCzA
— Rich Stephenson (@LA_Dodgers_Fans) October 10, 2017
Alvitre had reason to celebrate earlier in the evening as he fielded the hop on Kiké Hernandez’s pinch-hit ground rule double in the sixth inning.
Even had the Dodgers wished to reenact their pool celebration, the Diamondbacks took measures to prevent the possibility by stationing police on horseback on the warning track in front of the pool. It may have deterred any thoughts the Dodgers had of enjoying a quick dip, but it resulted in one horse leaving a messy sign of his presence.
