The Los Angeles Dodgers have a wide range of celebrations planned for Japanese Heritage Night at Dodger Stadium, including renowned artist Takashi Murakami throwing out the first pitch.
Murakami is also going to take the honor of making Vin Scully’s famed “It’s time for Dodger baseball” announcement. Monday is the second time this year that Murakami is throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at a game involving the Dodgers.
He previously did so at the Tokyo Dome when the Dodgers played the Yomiuri Giants. He was a fitting selection given Murakami partnered with MLB and Fanatics to create a Tokyo Series collection of Chicago Cubs and Dodgers merchandise.
Now taking the mound for a second time, Murakami is determined to have a better first pitch at Dodger Stadium, per Steve Henson of the L.A. Times
“It’s been two months since I started practicing for the first pitch in Tokyo, but given my age, it’s not so easy to pick up new skills,” Murakami said playfully in an interview with The Times. “Still, compared to the first day when I couldn’t throw the ball at all, I’ve improved significantly.
“My hope this time is to throw the ball without it bouncing.”
The Dodgers have not revealed who will serve as Murakami’s catcher, though it was Yoshinobu Yamamoto who did so in Tokyo, and he makes for a natural choice to reprise that role. Particularly with Yamamoto’s next scheduled start not coming until Friday in Atlanta.
Also for Japanese Heritage Night, DJ XL Middleton is going to play a set from the center field plaza, City Pop Jam is going to perform as well, and they’ll be followed by LA Taiko Ichiza before JO1 concludes the entertainment portion.
Bi-Ray, a new 4-octave girl group from Japan, will perform the national anthem.
Takashi Murakami Dodgers collection
Monday also is going to see a new release of Dodgers clothing designed by Murakami released. It will be available at the Dodger Stadium top of the park store and select retail locations inside the ballpark, plus on Complex.com, Fanatics.com and the Fanatics app while supplies last.
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