By FireRescue1 Staff
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers showed their appreciation for the firefighters who battled the recent wildfires by inviting them to batting practice.
NBC Los Angeles reported that hundreds of firefighters were welcomed as part of the Dodgers’ Community Tour as a way to say “thank you” for saving lives and homes.
“Today is about thanking them. Today is about bringing them joy,” Dodgers Vice President of External Affairs Naomi Rodriguez said.
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LAFD firefighter Ryan Ramirez said the event was just what he needed.
“It’s a great stress reliever. Yesterday I got off a 72-hour shift. I’m off today then go back for another 96 hours,” he said.
LA County Fire Department firefighter Danielle McMillon said it was a dream come true.
“This is awesome. I’m a huge fan, grew up with Dodgers. My husband is super jealous I’m here, my daughters are like, ‘What? You get to go?!’”
Ventura County Fire Department Capt. Tom Lanski said the experience was “quite something.”
“I’ve been a Dodger fan my whole life, Dodger Pepsi fan club since growing up in the Valley so this is quite something. First time on the field!” he said.
Third baseman Justin Turner said the event was great for everyone involved.
“It’s exciting to see fans who are here, the diehard fans, get an opportunity to come on field and play catch, take some swings at batting practice, maybe they’ll realize how hard it is to hit a ball out of the stadium,” he said.
The team will continue their Community Tour by meeting survivors of the Thousand Oaks shooting and the first responders who saved them.
https://twitter.com/LAFDChief/status/1088176508290531328 https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1088162172134256640