Friday afternoon at Dodger Stadium was a memorable day for many reasons. Games took on a different feel during the 2020 Covid-19-shortened season while teams battled it out through a unique 60-game regular season – without fans in attendance. For the first time since October 2019, fans were allowed inside the stadium to watch the 2020 World Series Champion Dodgers play their Home Opener against the 2019 World Series Champion  Washington Nationals.

In addition to just reveling in the glow of having baseball back again, many watched in the ballpark, as well as on television, as their beloved Boys in Blue received World Series rings before the game. Each player was treated to a special message from players they had idolized growing up or from other greats around the sport as they walked up to get the rewards for winning the first World Series since 1988. It was hard to tell who wore bigger grins, the players, or the 15,036 fans in the stands.

On any given day, Dodger Stadium holds 56,000 fans. Friday had a COVID-19 orange-tier limited ‘sellout’ crowd of 15,036 people, all of whom were socially distanced throughout the various sections due to pandemic precautions. After the National Anthem was completed, those present were treated to the stadium flyover as four military planes shot across the sky.

DJ Severe and Dodger’s organist Dieter Ruehle were in peak form to provide music throughout the game. Fans heard familiar gems like the Beastie Boys’ “Brass Monkey” when first baseman Max Muncy (that ‘funky Muncy’) caught an early out.

 Some may have also noticed that catcher Will Smith changed his walk-up music from the well-loved “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” theme song to “Nice for What” by Drake. Many are fond of the former song choice as a funny play on the catcher’s name matching the famous actor who starred in the popular television show. Smith had other thoughts.

“It was just time to get away from it,” Smith responded when asked about it during his postgame interview.

There were some additional adjustments beyond the limited capacity that fans had to adapt to. The Dodgers organization dabbled with contactless food orders for the first home game back. People could place orders through a special link online and then pick up their food and beverages once notified. Unfortunately, there were some complications throughout the day. After confirming with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the stadium will be moving to socially distanced walk-up orders starting with the game on Saturday, April 10, until the glitches are worked out.

The game itself started with right-handed pitcher Walker Buehler on the mound. He would allow no runs and only six hits while striking out four and walking none in his six brilliant innings of work.

Third-baseman Justin Turner scored the only run of the game off by crushing a home run to left-center-field in the bottom of the 7th inning.

Fans were pleased with the win as the familiar “I Love LA” lyrics by Randy Newman played throughout the park as the first home game of the season went into the books. Even before capturing the win, those in the stadium could feel the electricity. Just being able to see their team play was something many fans could only dream about since last year. Today, that dream was a reality for a much smaller than usual crowd. Nonetheless, watching a team receive their World Series rings AND win the game was a great way to welcome fans back to Dodger Stadium. Now the Boys in Blue just need to “Run It Back,” so we can do this all over again next year – with even more fans in the stands

We all bleed Dodger Blue!

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