The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) announced the launch of a special online auction that features game-worn jerseys from Opening Day. The Dodgers were among the teams to add MLB’s Black Lives Matter patch to their jerseys for the season opener.
Net proceeds from the auction will benefit the Boys & Men of Color Southern California: Our Kids, Our Future Fund (CFBMoC), which supports local grassroots social justice organizations on the front lines of combatting racial inequality.
Organizations supported by CFBMoC include Anti-Recidivism Coalition, Brotherhood Crusade, Brothers, Sons, Selves Coalition, Children’s Defense Fund-CA, Community Coalition, InnerCity Struggle, Khmer Girls in Action, Social Justice Learning Institute, Urban Peace Institute, and Youth Justice Coalition, among others.
The auction has game-used jerseys from Cody Bellinger, Kiké Hernandez, Max Muncy, Joc Pederson, Justin Turner, as well as several other players and members of the Dodgers coaching staff.
The auction additionally includes memorabilia and experiences, and concludes Sunday, Aug. 9 at 5 p.m. PT.
Beyond Opening Day this year marking the start of an MLB season that once appeared to be in great danger of not being held, it also was the backdrop for the Dodgers and San Francisco Giants to band together in a united stand against racism, police brutality and other social injustices.
They collectively took a knee while holding a black flag, and Mookie Betts remained that way during the national anthem. He received the support of Bellinger and Muncy, who put a hand on each of Betts’ shoulders.
“Just unity. Everybody is on the same team. We’re all here for change,” Betts said of the moment. “Even the Giants, I definitely tip my cap to them for the support. We have a great group of guys here, we’re all supportive of each other. It definitely doesn’t surprise me that Belli and Muncy were there with me.”
Dodgers call for change
Roughly one week prior to Opening Day, the Dodgers released a video released a video of 10 players who spoke out against racial inequality and promised to use their platforms by aiding organizations that seek social justice.
It featured Bellinger, Walker Buehler, Hernandez, Clayton Kershaw, Gavin Lux, Pederson, AJ Pollock, Ross Stripling, Turner and Alex Wood.
The players additionally announced plans to match funds raised from sales of the “In This Together” special edition t-shirts that benefitted the (CFBMOC).
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