There is nothing like the hum of a crowd to amplify an event. Add to that, that there is no place like a packed Dodger Stadium and that hum becomes a roar.

After being empty when the beginning of the 2020 season was delayed due to Covid-19 and then only partially filled to start the 2021 season off with reduced capacity, well, frankly, Dodger Stadium has finally come alive. The fans are home.

Due to California restrictions, to date, only 15,000 to 19,000 fans have been allowed in the stadium to kick off the season with modified season ticket packages. All sell-outs of course, but still, not the packed stadium that would intimidate opposing teams.

Tuesday night was “Reopening Day” at Blue Heaven on Earth, as pandemic restrictions were lifted just a little more allowing for the largest sellout crowd of the year – 52,078, to be exact.

It was a sea of blue that demanded to be heard. From starting pitcher Julio Urias, who threw the final strike in the 2020 World Series that helped make the team Champions, to outfielder and future Hall of Famer Mookie Betts going yard for the first time in front of a sellout crowd on a lead-off home run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Dodger Stadium was electric.

It was a tense game against the Philadelphia Phillies, which the Dodgers would end up winning 5-3. Los Angeles struck first and as they continued to score, the Phillies would strike back – each moment amplified by the emotions of the crowd.

One of many such moments occurred in the top of the seventh inning while reliever Joe Kelly worked to quickly retire the side. Picture it – Kelly on the mound, 1-2 count, two outs, and the next pitch is a ball. You could even hear the collective groan of the crowd as the count went to 2 balls, 2 strikes, and 2 outs.

Phillies’ catcher J.T. Realmuto would ultimately pop out to Dodgers first baseman Albert Pujols. The veteran 41-year old player and recent acquisition from the Los Angeles Angels would catch the ball and treat the crowd to an athletic display, proving he still “has it”. With the momentum from catching the pop-up, he stumbled past the first base umpire to hop up the left side of the visitor’s dugout wall.

In a complete reversal of the mood in the stadium from only moments prior, fans went wild as former 1988 World Series pitcher-turned-commentator Orel Hershiser called the athletic play amidst the sell-out crowd.

“Look at Albert,” said Hershiser. “Little bit of range still left in this body. ‘Stay on your feet.’ ‘Oh, I will … with a little help from my friend and the wall.”

It has been said that “There’s no place like home,” and for many, Dodger Stadium is their second home. And on Tuesday night as fans were welcomed back to settle in for the rest of the season, the players felt their energy.

“Just to finally play in front of a full Dodger stadium, on the right team, is definitely something that I’ve been looking forward to. Being able to play a good game was a cherry on top.”

What a difference a real crowd makes!

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