After the Los Angeles Dodgers completed a series sweep of the San Diego Padres behind a 1-0 victory at Petco Park, players quickly dressed in the clubhouse as a charted flight to San Francisco awaited.
However, rather than put on their team-issued Nike track suits or some other form of traditional clothing often seen with traveling, players partnered up to wear themed costumes. It’s an annual tradition that historically has primarily applied to rookies.
The Dodgers elected to take matters a step further this season by making it a team-wide event. The costume requirement applied to all members of the party, including SportsNet LA reporter Alanna Rizzo.
Some pulled from pop culture, while others referenced movie characters, the NFL and NBA. Hyun-Jin Ryu easily among the most well received, as he and his interpreter and trainer dressed as the famed sharks from Katy Perry’s Super Bowl performance.
Cody Bellinger dressed as Los Angeles Lakers All-Star LeBron James, complete with a pair of his signature Nike shoes. Bellinger shouted to Joc Pederson for clarification on which shoes he was slipping on, then proclaimed to have the best footwear in the clubhouse.
Bellinger partnered with Joe Kelly, who was dressed as a taco with Tuesday across the shell. The reference was of course to James’ recent phenomenon of celebrating Taco Tuesday.
Pederson was among the Dodgers to go as an NFL player, wearing a custom No. 31 Philadelphia Eagles jersey with his last name on the back. Pederson completed the look with a helmet, arm sleeves and finger tape.
Kenley Jansen dressed as Batman, Dustin May transformed into Pennywise from “It,” and Max Muncy went as Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Noted USC Trojans fan Justin Turner and Notre Dame alumni A.J. Pollock put on the universities’ respective uniforms. Kiké Hernandez an David Freese combined to serve as a faux drug testing duo.
