The Los Angeles Dodgers already played Opening Day of the 2024 season with the Seoul Series in South Korea, but Thursday represented their Dodger Stadium opener.
Beyond usual excitement with a Dodgers home opener, the sold-out crowd was all the more eager to see Shohei Ohtani make his official debut in front of the hometown fanbase. The Dodgers’ first home game of the season also meant an opportunity for Southern California native Tyler Glasnow to make his Dodger Stadium debut as well.
Domestic Opening Day additionally brought about creative and unique outfits that were captured as players arrived Thursday morning. Shohei Ohtani was dressed in head-to-toe New Balance, who recently unveiled his first logo as part of their sponsorship.
Meanwhile, Kiké Hernández went with an “I Am Kenough” hooded sweatshirt from the hit movie “Barbie.” Hernández previously incorporated a “Ken” look from “Barbie” when the Dodgers held their annual dress-up day toward the end of last season.
Shohei Ohtani arriving at Dodger Stadium for #OpeningDay pic.twitter.com/SFKNzpfOsv
— MLB (@MLB) March 28, 2024
Kiké Hernández with the Barbie "I am Kenough" hoodie for #OpeningDay 😂 pic.twitter.com/XvTG1aACMr
— MLB (@MLB) March 28, 2024
#OpeningDayLA ready. pic.twitter.com/DaTgU02GZc
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 28, 2024
Mookie Betts wearing custom Dodgers Jordans for #OpeningDay 🔥 pic.twitter.com/edYP93emoX
— MLB (@MLB) March 28, 2024
Mookie Betts wore custom Air Jordan shoes that featured the Dodgers’ logo, his jersey number, and names for his wife and two children. Betts also wore custom Jordan cleats as he helped spark the Dodgers lineup in their 7-1 win.
Jason Heyward, who missed the Freeway Series finale because of lower back tightness, started in right field and once again paid homage to Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant by wearing a t-shirt with his Lower Merion high school name and No. 33.
Dodgers attendance
The Dodgers had an announced attendance for the Dodger Stadium opener of 52,667, an official sellout.
“Today was a really well-played baseball game, 50,000 people, great day to watch a ballgame and our guys showed out,” manager Dave Roberts said after the win. “I thought Tyler threw the ball really well. Even at times early, didn’t have his best command, and they were aggressive, trying to ambush.
“It allowed for his pitch count to stay in a reasonable spot, so to get him through six was great. I thought that last inning was really good. Then you look at the offense, Mookie does what Mookie does. Still swinging a hot bat and Shohei put on a nice show. Across the board, I thought we caught it, pitched well and got some timely hitting.”
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