Opening Weekend, a weekend-long celebration, begins with Opening Day at Dodger Stadium today, Friday, April 4! The Dodgers will face their longtime rivals the San Francisco Giants at 1:10 p.m. in the first game of a three-game series. The Dodgers remind fans to carpool, arrive early and they are encouraged to utilize the many transportation alternatives that serve Union Station and will connect them to the Dodger Stadium Express which will operate starting at 10:00 a.m. through 45 minutes after the game. Auto and stadium gates open early at 10:00 a.m. Opening Day pregame entertainment throughout the stadium begins at 10:00 a.m. and on-field pregame ceremonies begin at 12:00 p.m.Opening Day is sold out.
“We are very excited to welcome back all of our fans to the start of 2014 Dodger baseball Friday at Dodger Stadium,” said Dodger President and CEO Stan Kasten. “We want to thank the fans for their loyalty and support through the years. I look forward to visiting with you as I make my way in the stadium throughout the season.”
Opening Day will feature a special ceremonial first pitch. The national anthem will be performed by the LA Opera trio of bass James Creswell, tenor Joshua Guerrero and bass Stephen Powell. The talented trio currently performs in LA Opera’s production of “Lucia Di Lammermoor.” Representatives from the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard will present our nation’s colors. California Highway Patrol members and its cadets will join Armed Forces members representing the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard in unfurling a giant flag in center field. Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda will officially begin the game with “It’s Time for Dodger baseball!” Former Dodger broadcaster Ross Porter will serve as honorary PA announcer. Porter spent 28 seasons with the Dodgers starting in 1977 and was the host of “Dodger Talk” for 14 years.
A special Opening Day video will also be part of pregame ceremonies. The USC Trojan Marching Band (TMB) directed by Dr. Arthur C. Bartner, who has led the band for 44 years, will also perform prior to Friday’s game. The USC Trojan Marching Band was founded in 1880, has traveled to every USC Football game since 1987 and performs more than 300 engagements each year. The band has visited 16 countries, is frequently featured in movies and on television and has performed at the Grammy and Academy Awards shows. It is the only collegiate marching band in the country with two platinum albums for its work with Fleetwood Mac.
