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Historic Dodgertown to be celebrated with ceremony

Spring Training site designated as 'Florida Heritage Landmark'

Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Fla., has been designated as a "Florida Heritage Landmark," and it will be celebrated with a ceremony Monday.

Numerous Dodgers greats will take part in the ceremony, including Historic Dodgertown chairman Peter O'Malley and former manager Tommy Lasorda, as a marker celebrating the marriage between the town and baseball since 1948 is unveiled.

"This historical marker not only reflects the dreams of all those young people from the past, but a dedicated community with partners who wanted those dreams carried into the future," said Ruth Stanbridge, Indian River County Historian and former County Commissioner. "For many years, one of the most successful county-wide projects of the Indian River County Historical Society has been its Historic Marker Program. I have researched and written many of the historic text that appears on these markers, but the one that is extra special to me and just completed is 'Baseball and Dodgertown.'"

Dodgertown was the first Spring Training site in the South, where the Dodgers stayed until 2008. O'Malley was instrumental in keeping Dodgertown open after the team's departure to Arizona.

"This recognition is appropriate because of Historic Dodgertown's significance in baseball history," O'Malley said. "It truly is unique and we appreciate the efforts of all those involved to gain this special designation."

Cash Kruth is a reporter for MLB.com.
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