U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Gerardo Rodriguez of Moreno Valley will be honored as the Military Hero of the Game tonight when the Los Angeles Dodgers face the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium.
Rodriguez recently returned from his second deployment to the Middle East. He has served more than 11 years in the Air Force and been stationed at bases in England, South Korea and California.
Rodriguez is stationed at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County as a combat arms instructor.
Billy Ashley, a Dodger outfielder from 1992-97, will sign autographs in the left field pavilion plaza from 5-7 p.m.
Pregame entertainment will include a magician from the Magic Castle in the left field plaza, DJ Adam in the right field plaza, DJ Lady Sha in the left field reserve plaza, and the band The Smokin’ Cobras, who play hits from the 1950s and 1960s, along with rockabilly, surf and 1980s songs, in the right field reserve plaza, all from 5-7 p.m.
The 10-man mariachi group Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuellar will perform “El Rey,” Mexico Lindo y Querido” and “Mariachi Loco” on the field before the game, in connection with the giveaway of Adrian Gonzalez bobbleheads to the first 40,000 fans in attendance. Gonzalez chose the songs the group will perform.
Grammy winning rhythm and blues singer Eric Bellinger will perform the national anthem.
Auto gates will open at 4:40 p.m. and stadium gates at 5:10 p.m. Pregame ceremonies will begin at 6:55 p.m. for the 7:10 p.m. game.
