Dodgers look forward to rings and celebrating with fans in home opener
By: Rowan Kavner
Tags: World Series, Dodgers, Dodger Stadium, Home Opener, MLB

(Photo by Harrison Barden/MLB)

by Rowan Kavner

When Clayton Kershaw was announced the Opening Day starter, it meant more than just handing the ball to the three-time Cy Young Award winner April 1 in Colorado. It also meant the 14-year Dodger veteran would get to fully enjoy the pregame home opening festivities of April 8 a week later.

“There might be something to that, yeah,” said manager Dave Roberts.

Before Walker Buehler and the Dodgers take on the Nationals on Friday afternoon at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers will receive their 2020 World Series rings and raise their championship banner.

Friday will bring plenty of reasons for joy. In addition to the ring ceremony, it will also mark the first time the Dodgers get to celebrate their championship at home in front of their fans after a season of seeing only cardboard cutouts in the Dodger Stadium crowd. The postseason was spent mostly in Texas and there was no parade back home to fully commemorate the momentous occasion because of the pandemic.

“It’s been marked on the calendar for a while now,” Kershaw said. “I’m excited. I’m excited we’re going to have a few fans there. That’ll be really cool.”

Kershaw said after last season’s World Series title he might have taken for granted just how much those closest to him cared and wanted to see him succeed. He realized how much the ups and downs, and ultimately reaching the mountaintop, impacted not just him but those around him.

“Especially my wife,” Kershaw said. “I think she’s going to be pretty excited too (for Friday). Just seeing teammates, get to celebrate with them, get to see the rings — to do all those things — it’ll be a special day, for sure.”

Most Dodger players had a tough time picking one moment in particular they’re looking forward to most.

“Can I say everything? It’ll be a pretty special day,” said Max Muncy. “Obviously, I’ve never been a part of something like that, so I can’t really say what I’m looking forward to the most — so I’m going to go with everything.”

Roberts said he’s seen pictures of the ring but hasn’t seen it in person yet. Many Dodger players have avoided even pictures. Chris Taylor said he wants it to be a surprise, but what he’s most looking forward to Friday is playing in front of his home fans again and seeing their reactions to the day’s events.

Whether it’s the fans or the rings motivating players the most, they’ve been waiting for this day for months.

“We finally accomplished what we were trying to accomplish over my last seven years,” said Justin Turner. “We fell short a couple times, obviously had some tough endings to some seasons. Seeing the banner go up, getting that ring, is going to be a good feeling. That’s what every kid dreams of.”

Stadium and auto gates will open at 10:30 a.m. for the home opener, which begins at 1:10 p.m. PT. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 11:45 a.m. for pregame ceremonies.

For those not in attendance, the pregame ceremonies will be televised on Spectrum SportsNet LA, carried live on radio on AM 570 LA Sports and AM 1020 (Spanish) and streamed in HD on the free iHeartRadio app (search AM 570 LA Sports).

“I’m looking forward to seeing Dodger fans, however many we can put in there to adhere to restrictions,” Roberts said. “I’m looking forward to getting that big fat ring, and just to kind of put a bow on 2020.”