A mass of 35,000 Dodger fans descended upon Dodger Stadium Saturday amidst a break in the weather for DodgerFest, formerly known as FanFest. The annual celebration occurs before Spring Training starts and the season officially kicks off so that fans can get up close and personal with players.

The theme was coming together at Blue Heaven on Earth and getting ramped up to support our Boys in Blue. There were plenty of activities to take part in around the stadium – including shopping at the team stores or the garage sale for bobbleheads, rings, and other extras from giveaway nights. Some fans took advantage of the play area, tours around the stadium, and player meet and greets. The culmination was the stage show in centerfield hosting a cadre of Dodger team talent.

There were plenty on hand for interviews, ranging from the rookies and younger players to the more veteran influences. Obviously, many of the questions revolved around two-way player and star of the day, Shohei Ohtani.

The younger team members were out in force, though. On hand were catcher Hunter Feduccia, and pitchers Bobby Miller, Emmet Sheehan, Gavin Stone, Michael Grove, Gus Varland, and Landon Knack.

The old guard made the rounds as well – catcher Will Smith, first baseman Freddie Freeman, second baseman Mookie Betts, shortstops Miguel Rojas and Gavin Lux, third baseman Max Muncy, right fielder Jason Heyward, centerfielder James Outman, utility player Chris Taylor, and starting pitchers Tyler Glasnow, Walker Buehler, and Tony Gonsolin.

There was also a slew of relievers – Joe Kelly, Brusdar Graterol, Alex Vesia, Ryan Yarbrough, and Evan Phillips. Even some pitchers on the mend that fans are hoping to see pitch this year – JP Feyereisen and Blake Treinen.

Before the main events on stage, veteran right fielder Jason Heyward arrived with first baseman Freddie Freeman to take their turn catching up with the media.

“This is year fifteen for me and everyone is awesome,” Heyward stated. “I don’t take it for granted. Glad to be here, glad to be back in LA, and have a shot to go all the way with a new group. Roster additions, I think, are always cool to see what the Front Office thinks they want to do. What their idea looks like of putting a championship team together. You know a lot of things have to line up, so much respect to ownership, Front Office, you know, everyone who’s already here, and to new people that chose us and chose the Dodgers. I’m looking forward to getting ready.

Freddie Freeman mentioned some “big” news – he is changing his walk-up song to “Monaco” by Bad Bunny. His son, Charlie, once again got to pick the music. He did confirm that “Baila Conmigo,” the song fans have grown accustomed to hearing play as Freeman walks up to home plate, would still be in the rotation. Musical choices aside, the first baseman did share his thoughts on the big moves during the offseason.

“You know, I talked to (Dodgers President of Baseball Operations) Andrew (Friedman) a week after our unfortunate ending,” Freeman explained. “He told me Plan A, B, and C, and what we were going to try and do. Obviously, Plan A was Plan A that succeeded. I said, ‘Oh, we’re going to really try and get all of that. Okay, that’d be awesome to be a part of.’ When you’re a player, and obviously fans too, and everyone that’s involved, you just want to be a part of something where you’re trying to win every single year. And to really see what our ownership and Front Office did this offseason is special. It’s special to be a part of. Now, obviously, they did everything they could to give us the best chance to win a World Series and now it’s on us, the players, to go out there and play well. It’s just awesome to be a part of a group that’s trying to win every single year.”

Shohei Ohtani was the player most of the fans were waiting for and as he spoke through an interpreter he did not disappoint. He described the atmosphere at the stadium and his first impression of Dodger fans.

“It’s my first time standing in front of all the Dodgers fans and with my Dodger jersey on. So It’s a great feeling and I can’t wait.” Ohtani went on to say, “I know Dodger fans are really passionate and they’re excited about the team, so I feel the same.”

Ohtani also shared what he thought success over the next ten years looked like.

“I think the only choice is winning the World Series and I mean that’s every team’s goal and that’s definitely one of ours. And it’s the biggest one,” he replied.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts summed up the team’s approach for the coming season and how it will not only impact the Dodgers but the city as well.

“I think for us this year, I don’t think and I’m even sensing this, you know, at this FanFest that a lot of this is more optimism on ‘24 versus reflecting, revisiting the prior season,” Roberts shared. “And that’s exciting to me because that’s kind of how I live life. And I think our players are resonating with that narrative, that feel, that vibe. And so, I just want to continue to build on that momentum. But yeah, I mean, Shohei didn’t come here to not win a championship and I can speak for everyone else in the organization that feels the same way. Regardless of expectations, I think that we have one goal in mind.”

“I think that it’s a tremendous honor, responsibility,” Doc went on to say. “I’ve said it before, recently, the Dodgers, Los Angeles, is going to be the epicenter of sports and baseball, you know, for the summer. It is, we are. And so, I think that’s great for our game. It’s great for the city and it raises the bar for all of us.”

The first Dodgers event of the new season is in the books. Everyone alike got a taste of the changes this coming season will bring. Whether it is the influx of newer fans and the diversity that brings, or just the excitement for another run at the postseason – everyone seems to be on board.

Here’s to a great start to the 2024 season.

Go Dodgers!

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