On June 3, the Los Angeles Dodgers will be wearing unique on-field Pride caps as the team celebrates its ninth yearly LGBTQ+ Night at Dodgers Stadium. Meanwhile, on June 11, both the Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants will make history by wearing Pride caps in the same game.
“The Los Angeles Dodgers are proud to stand with and recognize the LGBTQ+ community in Los Angeles and globally,” said Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten. “The Dodgers have a history of breaking barriers and we’re proud to be a part of another chapter in MLB history as the Dodgers and Giants each wear their team’s pride caps on June 11. While our organizations have a long-storied rivalry on the field, we stand together when it comes to equality for all.”
Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Broadcasting Erik Braverman also added that “the Dodgers annual Pride Night has become one of the most anticipated nights of the season, I am incredibly proud to have the added element of the on-field caps this year. I look forward to sharing these historic games with members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies”.
Furthermore, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation will donate half of the funds raised from a 50/50 raffle to the Los Angeles LGBT Center, which offers services and programs to members of the LGBT community.
Dodgers vs Giants
The Dodgers will be facing the Giants in June after their recent match on Wednesday where the Dodgers recorded a victory of 9-1.
Both teams went 1-2-3 in the first inning, but the Giants took the lead in the top of the second on a homer by shortstop Brandon Crawford. Infielder Thairo Estrada stroke out and outfielder Mike Yastrzemski singled to second base. Baseman Kevin Padlo, meanwhile, lined to the right side.
Dodgers catcher Will Smith led off the bottom of the second inning with a seven-pitch walk and infielder Max Muncy grounded out, resulting in a double play. Third baseman Justin Turner swooped to the right.
Smith batted cleanup for the third game in a row by the end of the game, with the catcher being promoted from the No. 6 slot he had held for the opening two weeks of the season.
While Smith only batted .236 in 17 games, he had two home runs, 12 RBIs, and a .733 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, which makes him rank third on the team.
“There’s no panic, and he’s very unflappable,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. ”And that’s why, I think for a manager, the more players you can trust, and that are dependable, you feel much better running them out there.”
The Dodgers and the Giants will continue their long-time rivalry that started in the late 1800s when both clubs were still based in New York City. The Giants played at the Polo Grounds in Manhattan, while the Dodgers played at Coney Island in Brooklyn.
After moving to the West Coast, the Dodgers created a 577–548 lead by the end of their 2021 regular-season series.
