LOS ANGELES – Major League Baseball and the Los Angeles Dodgers will celebrate today’s stars by paying tribute to their historic past. Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson will once again “take the field” for the Dodgers using Mixed Reality technology, which will be a moment that will enhance the fans’ visual experience in Dodger Stadium as well as on the FOX broadcast tonight for the 92nd MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard. Additionally, today is Rachel Robinson’s 100th birthday, and MLB and the Dodgers will honor her with an in-game video tribute. Additional details for all pregame and in-game ceremonial activities are below:
JACKIE PREGAME TRIBUTE
MLB has partnered with The Famous Group (TFG) to enhance the fan experience in Dodger Stadium and on the FOX broadcast for the 2022 MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard. Through the use of Mixed Reality technology, The Famous Group has helped create a tribute to Jackie Robinson that showcases key moments from the Baseball Icon's career and legacy. The ceremony takes place moments before first pitch for fans in-stadium and watching from home, beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT. Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington will be on the field at Dodger Stadium providing commentary for this special pregame moment.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO RACHEL ROBINSON
After the 1st inning tonight, MLB and the Dodgers will show a special tribute video to Rachel Robinson in appreciation of her contributions to our sport and society and celebration of her 100th birthday. Academy Award-winning actress Octavia Spencer provided the voiceover for the video.
NATIONAL ANTHEM
Performing tonight’s U.S. National Anthem is Grammy, Emmy and Tony award-winning singer, songwriter and actor Ben Platt. Ben’s “The Reverie Tour,” with special guests Aly & AJ, begins on Labor Day weekend. For more information, visit BenPlattMusic.com. In association with the U.S. National Anthem:
- The Giant American Flag will be held by the military Joint Service Color Guard: Military District of Washington with accompanying drum cadence from the “President’s Own United States Marine Band.”
- The flyover will be four fight jets from the F-22 Combined Test Force out of Edwards Air Force Base in California. “Top Gun: Maverick” star Miles Teller will join the flyover crew when they are recognized during the game.
The Canadian National Anthem will be performed by Canadian actress and singer Melissa O’Neil.
“FERNANDO-MANIA” RETURNS TO THE MIDSUMMER CLASSIC
You can’t have a Dodger Stadium All-Star Game without “Fernando-mania!” Six-time MLB All-Star, 1981 phenom (World Series Champion, N.L. Cy Young and Rookie of the Year) Fernando Valenzuela will throw the ceremonial first pitch of tonight’s Midsummer Classic. Toronto Blue Jays All-Star catcher Alejandro Kirk, who was born in Tijuana, Mexico, will catch his countryman’s pitch.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA’S “YOUTH OF THE YEAR”
Boys & Girls Clubs of America Youth of the Year Brianna from the Boys & Girls Club of Bristol (CT) will be a part of the pregame ceremonies, delivering the game’s first ball to the mound. Brianna will be a sophomore at Central Connecticut State University in the fall.
MLB COMPTON YOUTH ACADEMY MEMBERS AS MASTERCARD YOUTH AMBASSADORS
Through the Mastercard Youth Ambassador program, 18 members of the MLB Compton Youth Academy, who completed Mastercard’s “Girls4Tech” program, will participate in the All-Star Game pregame starting lineup introductions, during which they will be paired with a starting player with whom they will run out on the field. This moment will be shown LIVE on FOX. For the past several years, Mastercard connects its Girls4Tech program with MLB to provide the STEM curriculum for the Youth Academy, with a focus on improving gender equality in the tech workforce. More information: Girls4Tech | Mastercard's STEM Education program for Middle School Girls.
ALL-STAR SEND-OFF TO A BROADCAST LEGEND
Dodger broadcasting Hall of Famer Jaime Jarrín will receive a special All-Star send-off tribute to his legendary career with the Dodgers after the 4th inning.
STAND UP TO CANCER “PLACARD MOMENT”
Following the 5th inning, MLB, Stand Up To Cancer, Mastercard and FOX will continue the extraordinary Midsummer Classic tradition of players, coaches, managers, umpires and fans in attendance at Dodger Stadium standing together in the fight against cancer. During this moment, the Vocal Ensemble of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts – the #1 arts high school in America – will perform Andra Day’s “Rise Up” in Dodger Stadium.