The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, in partnership with Fanatics and Nike, hosted over 1,200 community members on Saturday for the unveiling of new City Connect jerseys.
The showcase was meant to celebrate the unveiling of the new threads during a live baseball game between Dodgers Dreamteam participants of the 2023 Nike RBI World Series. Nike RBI World Series is Major League Baseball’s youth outreach program that supports organizations that offer baseball and softball activities. It provides resources and assistance, focusing on underserved children and communities worldwide.
Team Heyward, coached by outfielder Jason Heyward, wore the previous City Connect ‘Los Dodgers’ jerseys. Team Miller, coached by pitcher Bobby Miller, wore the new City Connect jerseys.
The Dodgers debuted their new City Connect uniforms on-field on June 22 against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium.
L.A. legend and former pitcher Orel Hershiser said any Dodger jersey is special.
“I would never rank it because they’re all number one, because it’s the Dodgers. If you wear a Dodgers uniform you’re wearing the best uniform in the world,” Hershiser said.
The Dodgers’ City Connect uniforms for 2021 saluted the team’s Latino fanbase by including a ‘Los Dodgers’ crest on their cap and jersey. This year’s second edition of City Connect is a salute to the city’s long history as a city of dreams and dreamers.
Heyward said he’s still undecided on the new jerseys.
“Honestly I need to see them all together, what I look like head to toe, and see us out on the field as a team, especially in the stadium,” Heyward said. “I got to see it all together before I judge first. I get the inspiration around it: the dreamer, the galaxy vibe, and these look like sprinkles to me.”
Fanatics and Nike agreed to a 10-year partnership with Major League Baseball to have exclusive rights to make the official uniform and footwear supplier, while also manufacturing, marketing and selling official Perfect Game Trading Cards and collectibles, including Perfect Game All-Americans.
LADF also hosted a community resource event, Dodger Day, inviting all Dodgers Dreamteam participants from across Los Angeles to attend with family. Dodger Dreamteam is meant to bring families, volunteers, recreation departments, non-profit organizations, advocates, resources and donors to support youth development.
Several organizations were present for Dodger Day such as UCLA Health, Vision to Learn Glasses, L.A. County Library, L.A. County Parks & Recreation Sports Division, Habitat for Humanity, SoCal Gas and USC advisors. These organizations were there to give basic necessities to those in need. Free health screenings were offered by UCLA Health and free eye screenings were offered by Vision to Learn.
Nichol Whiteman, LADF’s Chief Executive Officer, said their mission is about more than just baseball.
“It’s also about the education and the health resources and bringing those services to the community,” Whiteman said. “So we bring together a hub of partners that can make sure families are getting those dental screenings, eye screenings, health screenings, the books donated, the science of baseball training and so much more on site while also bringing the fun of Dodger baseball. We want to make sure the community feels the love outside of Dodger Stadium.”
Dodgers Dreamteam is a youth development program run by the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation that uses sports to provide resources and services to communities facing social injustices. The program’s goals are to provide basic needs, education, and health care, and inspire kids to stay in school, stay out of trouble, and stay healthy. Previously, it was known as the Dodgers RBI program.
As part of LADF’s commitment to SoCal communities, the foundation completed its 50th Dodgers Dreamfield and increased fundraising by 1,000% with Whiteman at the forefront. Whiteman has also formed partnerships that have resulted in more than $40 million in community investment impacting over 2.3 million children.
Heyward said everyone needs some sort of aid.
“We all need help, we all need help no matter what shape, form or fashion. Ballplayers, parents, kids, teammates, brothers, sisters and family. So it’s just cool being out here and as an influence,” Heyward said. “There’s a lot of ways you can help communities and players but to be out here and get close to them and interact hopefully gives them an incentive and more motivation and just a reality they can make something happen in achieving their dreams.”
Miller said he wants to leave a positive influence on these players.
“Show support to the kids and like I said, if they need to ask us any questions, we’re always here to answer and help them out,” Miller said. “Hopefully, give them some good tips to help them follow their dreams.”
With growing interest in Dodgers Dreamteam, the LADF aims to serve 25,000 youth annually by 2030.
Hershiser said being around the youth is always great.
“It’s just fantastic, you know, anytime you’re with kids and then when we get to coach now,” Hershiser said. “When you can impart some of the knowledge that we’ve learned through the years of baseball, it’s a lot of fun to watch people have that aha moment and have that light bulb go on.”