The Los Angeles Dodgers are synonymous with breaking historical barriers and being a beacon of cultural relevance. The same team that had Jackie Robinson break the color barrier in 1947 when they were the Brooklyn Dodgers, also had the first real Mexican Major League Baseball star in Fernando Valenzuela back in 1981. Valenzuela’s legacy drastically changed the makeup of their fan base ever since.
President Donald Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been raiding communities in Los Angeles since June 6. They have targeted not just illegal immigrants but American citizens as well through racial profiling and targeted actions. These ICE raids and rhetoric from President Trump have led to mass protests around the city. In turn, President Trump sent the National Guard and the US Marines to quell the civil unrest and protests. These actions have led to curfews and increased police presence throughout the Los Angeles area. All of this has happened on the doorsteps of Dodger Stadium, and the Los Angeles Dodgers have remained silent.
As a lifelong Dodgers fan, my Latino identity and my proud Mexican-American identity have been intrinsically linked to my Dodger fandom. My family, on one side, has been season ticket holders for decades. On the other side, my father became a big Dodgers fan when he came to this country, and Fernando Valenzuela took the country by storm.
For many Latine and specifically Mexican Dodger fans, Valenzuela is the reason the Dodgers boast a 40% Latine fan base. The Dodgers have a Valenzuela bobblehead night on July 19. And they frequently honor him, especially after his passing last October. And it honestly feels like the Dodgers are happy to make money off of their Latine fanbase but not to honor or reach out to them during unprecedented unrest for our communities.
It would be bad enough if their silence were the worst part of their actions, but that is not the case either.
The Voices Speaking Out
On Saturday, June 14, singer Nezza (Vanessa Hernández) sang “El Pendón Estrellado,” the official Spanish-language version of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” This rendition was reportedly not approved by the Dodgers, according to a video shared by the singer on social media. In a brave move by the singer, she did it anyway. In another video, she gave her reasoning, “I just felt like I needed to do it, para mi gente.”
Of those connected to the Dodgers, only one current player has spoken out about the ICE raids: utility player and fan favorite Kiké Hernandez. On Instagram he said, “I may not be Born & Raised, but this city adopted me as one of their own. I am saddened and infuriated by what’s happening in our country and our city.”
Former Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman and Mexican-American Adrian Gonzalez also made a post condemning the ICE raids. He said, “What is happening is not just wrong, it is unconstitutional, it is illegal. Separating families without cause, profiling individuals due to the color of their skin, is not right. It needs to stop.”
A Heartbreaking Disappointment for the Dodgers
After winning the 2024 World Series, for Dodger fans, this season should feel like a celebratory one. Shohei Ohtani is pitching again, the Dodgers are in first place, and the 2024 Championship still feels like a dream. The joy feels hollow at best now.
The Dodgers accepted President Trump’s invitation to the White House earlier this year, calling the visit “not political.” This visit to the White House took place just weeks after a Department of Defense webpage highlighting Jackie Robinson’s WWII service, including his refusal to move to the back of a segregated Army bus, was suddenly and quietly removed. The team made no statement about this and proceeded to visit the White House anyway.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have always had a strong presence of Latinidad and Mexican culture in and around Dodger Stadium.
There are many games where a live Mariachi band plays “La Chona,” a popular Norteño song by Los Tucanes de Tijuana. It’s frequently played over the public address system or by the Dodgers organist. In 2019, Alex Verdugo chose “Volver, Volver” by Vicente Fernandez as his walk-up song. You had to be there to hear the crowd roar when this Mexican classic was played loudly at Dodger Stadium. Very few other parks in America would get this kind of reaction from that song.
As a Mexican-American Dodger fan, I have always lauded the Dodgers as a beacon of Latine culture. I have watched nearly every game I could on TV for many years. I have followed the team as a fan, a writer, a baseball fan, and a proud Latino. But right now, it feels like my favorite team does not care about its Latine fanbase unless it is to pander or make a profit from it, even during a time of unprecedented abuses of power. And it’s destroying my love for this team.
Latine Dodger fans deserve better. The city of Los Angeles and the 4.8 million Latinos in Los Angeles County deserve better.
I deserve better.
