The Los Angeles Dodgers will mark Independence Day by offering a special hot dog, conducting a postgame fireworks show and wearing “stars and stripes” caps and jerseys for today’s game against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium.
The Independence Day Dog is a quarter-pound all-beef Super Dodger Dog served with Applewood smoked bacon, pickled chips, potato salad and pickled red onions. It will be available at the Extreme Loaded Dog concession areas on the field, loge and reserve levels.
The team’s cap will feature the flag’s stars and stripes. The Dodger jersey will have a star-filled Dodger logo and player numbers.
Pregame ceremonies will include a giant flag being unfurled in center field by a color guard unit of more than 100 members of all branches of the U.S. military — the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Coast Guard.
A bald eagle from the Los Angeles Zoo will also participate in the pregame ceremonies.
U.S. Army Sgts. 1st Class Samara Arias of Van Nuys and Maria Guerra of Chino Hills will throw the ceremonial first pitch.
The national anthem will be performed by U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Mike Dalager, accompanied by Grand Funk Railroad guitarist Bruce Kulick.
The USO Show Troupe, comprised of professional performers with extensive Broadway and off-Broadway credits, will present a patriotic musical performance between the game and fireworks shows.
Al Downing, who pitched for the Dodgers from 1971-77 and is best remembered for allowing Hank Aaron’s record-setting 715th home run in 1974, will sign autographs in the left field pavilion plaza from 2-4 p.m.
Auto gates will open at 1:45 p.m. and stadium gates at 2:15 p.m. for the 4:15 p.m. game. Pregame ceremonies will begin at 4 p.m.
