The Los Angeles Dodgers announced their 2019 Alumni Game will feature more than 30 of the organization’s former players, many of whom were fan-favorites during their respective careers. Orel Hershiser and Fernando Valenzuela are among those who will play or make an appearance.
Dave Anderson, Billy Bean, Nomar Garciaparra, Shawn Green, Kevin Gross, Jerry Hairston, Jr., Lee Lacy, Kenny Landreaux, James Loney, Dennis Powell, Nick Punto, Dave Roberts, Jerry Royster, Steve Sax, Derrel Thomas, Ismael Valdez and Jose Vizcaino are expected to be part of Alumni Game lineups.
Billy Ashley, Ron Cey, Tommy Davis, Steve Garvey, Rick Honeycutt, Tommy Lasorda, Davey Lopes, Rick Monday, Manny Mota, Bill Russell, Valenzuela, Maury Wills and Steve Yeager are expected to make appearances.
The annual event not only celebrates players from the Dodgers’ franchise history, but it also turns out memorable moments and highlights. In 2016, Hershiser and Valenzuela served as pitchers for the respective teams. One year later, Lasorda managed in the Alumni Game.
Having just retired from baseball, Loney recently announced he was returning to Dodger Stadium to join former players, and also revealed he may join the Dodgers’ front office.
The Alumni Game is set for Saturday, June 1. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to take in alumni batting practice at 4:00 p.m. PT, introductions at 5:00 p.m. and the Alumni Game at 5:15 p.m.
The Dodgers host the Philadelphia Phillies in the second of a three-game series that night, with first pitch set for 7:10 p.m. Saturday will also see Garvey inducted into the “Legends of Dodger Baseball” during pregame ceremonies that begin at 6:40 p.m.
The first 40,000 ticketed fans in attendance will receive a bobblehead of the famed infielder. Garvey was part of the inaugural class of the “Legends of Dodger Baseball” that was announced last September. The group included Valenzuela and the late Don Newcombe.
“From being a bat boy in 1956 for the Brooklyn Dodgers to the draft of 1968 and the success we enjoyed over a 14-year career in Dodger Blue, I feel so fortunate to continue to be affiliated with this great franchise,” Garvey said at the time.
“There have been so many great players to wear the Dodger uniform, and I’m grateful for this extraordinary honor. I’m most thankful to my family, Dodger owners Peter O’Malley and Guggenheim Partners, manager Tommy Lasorda and all the players I played with and against. Thank you to the Dodgers for this recognition, and to the fans for making my time in Los Angeles so special.”
Garvey played 14 of 19 career seasons with the Dodgers. From 1969-82, he was a member of four National League pennant-winning teams and won the 1981 World Series. Garvey ranks among the all-time Los Angeles leaders in hits (1,968; second), doubles (333; first), home runs (211; third), RBI (992; first) and games played (1,727; third).
Garvey was named MVP of the 1978 NL Championship Series and received recognition for his work in the community as the 1981 winner of the Roberto Clemente Award.
Alumni Weekend at Dodger Stadium continues on Sunday, June 2, when fans will have autograph and photo opportunities with former players at Dodger Stadium entrances on the Left Field Plaza, Right Field Plaza, Club Level, Stadium Club and Left Field Reserve prior to the 1:10 p.m. start time.
