A Snapshot of Dodgers FanFest 2023
FANFEST 2023
Freddie Freeman’s son, Charlie, signs autographs for fans at the Dodgers 2023 FanFest event at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, February 4, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
By: Angela Redding
Photos: Diana Castro/Premier Photo Int’l.
Los Angeles, CA, | Hollywood Beat magazine | 2/5/2023–Are you a fan of the Dodgers? Were you at FanFest on Saturday, February 4th? If the answer is, “Yes, I was there.” great. If your answer is,”No. I was not there.” then you missed out on all the excitement.
Fanfest Returns After a 3 Year Absence
Long-time Dodgers fans look forward to FanFest every year, making it one of the most anticipated and well-attended events.
The Dodgers’ annual FanFest event, where fans of all ages can meet and greet and get close to their favorite players, came to a screeching halt after 2019. Due to Stadium construction, Covid-19, and the Lock-out, the fan-based event had to be postponed. Wow!
Fans of the Dodgers were eager to “get back on the field” with their favorite baseball team.
The Wait is Over – Fanfest 2023
When word spread that #FanFest would be back in 2023, Dodgers fans rushed online to claim their complimentary tickets to the event as soon as they were available.
Like most Dodgers events, there were long lines of waiting cars outside the parking entrance gates. After parking, fans got out of their cars and made their way to a security checkpoint to get clearance to access the stadium grounds. They were eager to participate in as many of the activities as possible before the six-hour day of activities came to an end.
Many fans wore jerseys of their favorite players from the Dodgers, while others wore anything that was associated with the team.
Dodgers pins and flags were added to a large foam Dodger helmet that one fan chose to go all out and wear. And a woman also appeared wearing a dress in the 1950s fashion with the Dodgers logo printed on it.
The Fans brought an endless show of support for L.A.’s favorite baseball team. “Go Dodgers!”
A Full Day
Saturday, February 4th was a day filled with entertainment, fun, games, and an opportunity to interact with Dodger players for the first time or the 100th time.
With an event of this magnitude where so much takes place, it is nearly impossible to bring everything to you. That being said, we present you with a snapshot of the Los Angeles Dodgers 2023 FanFest event.
Fans participates in the Dodgers 2023 FanFest event at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, February 4, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Highlights
Fanfest is about the FANS! It is a way for a team to show fans just how important they are to the team.
Dodgers fans had the chance to interact with the players, get autographs, take a selfie, and go to the main stage to listen to the players answer questions about Fanfest, the upcoming season, and the fans.
The place was packed offering fans the opportunity to purchase t-shirts, baseballs, and other items players used in the games. Lines twisted and turned as fans eagerly lined up to get their hands on anything representing the Dodgers baseball team.
Those with kids had the option of taking them to play in the bouncy houses, to practice their swing in the batting cages, rock climbing, and so much more.
The six hour event ensured that every fan had the chance to eat, play, purchase memorabilia, and get up close and personal with players as the 2023-2024 baseball season begins.
Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias participates in the Dodgers 2023 FanFest event at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, February 4, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Dodgers Players in Attendance
Dodgers in attendance were Julio Urias, manager Dave Roberts, Miguel Vargas, Diego Cartaya, Noah Syndergaard, Chris Taylor, James Outman, Yency Almonte, Miguel Rojas, Evan Phillips, Michael Busch, Miguel Rojas, Austin Barnes, Brusdar Graterol, and Freddie Freeman among others.
During the event it was announced that Fernando Valenzuela’s number 34 will be retired.
Dodger alumni Fernando Valenzuela participates in the Dodgers 2023 FanFest event at Dodger Stadium as Stan Kasten, Dodger President & CEO announces the retirement of his jersey number on Saturday, February 4, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
A Word From the Players
Chris Taylor
Taylor, a seven-year member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, took some time during the offseason to tie the knot. He shares a few of his thoughts with the fans.
“Yeah. I’m extremely proud to call this place home. I moved here last year, actually, and it’s a dream come true. This team, I get to live at the beach, get to play baseball in front of the best fans in baseball, and I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Question from the main stage host: “What does it mean to you with this tremendous crowd, the love they are showing you, saying that you are one of their favorites?”
“It means a lot. It’s kinda crazy playing next to all these super-stars; you have Freddie and Mookie and all these guys who are in the All-Star game every single year and the Home-run derby; for me, it’s just an honor to be on the same field with them. It’s really cool to feel the love from all the fans.”
Evan Phillips
This is Phillips’s third season with the Dodgers as a pitcher. He shares a few of his thoughts with the fans at Fanfest.
“Yeah, I spend my off-seasons back home in Florida, so coming back out west and seeing Dodgers fans all over the place…I landed in Burbank and saw Dodgers hats everywhere and it made me excited again. Baseball season is right around the corner and pretty soon we’ll be playing baseball here in Dodger Stadium again.”
Question from the main stage host: “As a reliever and you are waiting for your time when you say you are locked in on the mound. Are you locked in, in the bullpen, or do you ever unlock and interact with the fans?”
“Yeah. I don’t do too much down there but I defiantly don’t ignore the fans. I think people get caught up in, ‘Oh, I need to be razor focused. I can’t talk to fans. I can’t be distracted.’
I think it means a lot for the fans to try to interact with the team so for us to give back and just say hello, or give a fist bump, stuff like that. Something small is really easy for me to do. I’m happy to do that before I really get warmed up and ready for the game. It’s always great to interact with these fans.”
Dodgers “Fan Talk”
David Aguirre and Jessica Munoz
HB magazine: “Is this your first time at Fanfest?”
David: “Yes.”
HB magazine: “Oh my stars. How cool. So, on a scale of 1 to 10, how excited are you to be at Fanfest?”
David & Jessica: “A ten.”
HB magazine: “What makes it a ten for you?”
David: “I love Dodger baseball and being here is like being home for me.”
HB magazine: “Awesome. Are there any players you’re looking to see?”
David: “Chris Taylor or Kershaw.”
Jessica: with a large smile on her face, “I’d like to see Freddie Freeman.”
Emily James and Family
Jeff Misawa-Dad, Cash-brother
HB magazine: “Is this your first time at Fanfest?”
Emily: “Yes.” (Dad and brother agree.)
HB magazine: “Okay, great. On a scale of one to ten, how excited are you to be at Fanfest?”
Emily: “Ten.” (Dad and brother agree.)
HB magazine: “Are there any players you’re looking forward to seeing?”
Emily: “I was looking forward to seeing Gavin Lux, but he’s sick. He won’t be here.”
HB magazine: “I see. You are the one with the inside scoop on Lux.” Emily smiles at the comment.
HB magazine: “How about you, Cash?”
Cash: “Mookie Betts.”
HB magazine: “Oh no. Mookie won’t be here this year.”
Thank you FANS for your comments.
True Blue Fans were treated to a fun-filled day of entertainment as Dodger Stadium, Centerfield Plaza, and a sizable piece of the parking lot were turned into an entertainment complex.
The enormous fan turn out had to please the Dodgers organization.
Did you attend the Dodgers 2023 FanFest event? How was it for you? Share your thoughts below in the comments.
HB | Hollywood Beat magazine
We are a Los Angeles, California-based online publication. Established in the summer of 1995, our mission was and is to provide readers with information that is both interesting and useful.
Get in Touch
Contact Us
contact@hollywoodbeatmagazine.com