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2026年、ドジャースは「ドジャース・ラブ・LA・コミュニティ・ツアー（Dodgers Love LA Community Tour）presented by Bank of America」を敢行しました。4日間にわたり、ロサンゼルス全域からインランド・エンパイアまでを駆け抜けたこのツアー。それは単なる公式行事としての表敬訪問ではなく、球団がこの街にとって不可欠な「希望のインフラ」であることを証明する、極めて濃密な旅路となりました。
ノースハリウッドに響くハンマーの音：退役軍人への敬意
ツアーの幕開けは、着飾った選手たちの華やかなレセプションではありませんでした。私たちが目撃したのは、ノースハリウッドの土埃舞う建設現場で、実直に作業に従事する人々の姿です。「Homes for Families」と提携したこのプロジェクトは、退役軍人とその家族のための手頃な価格の住宅を建設するという、極めて切実なニーズに応えるものでした。
ここで特筆すべきは、ドジャースのフロントオフィススタッフ100名以上が参加した「従業員奉仕の日（Employee Day of Service）」です。彼らは日頃のスーツを作業着に着替え、自らハンマーを振るい、12軒の住宅の準備作業に汗を流しました。組織全体が「現場」に降り立つその姿勢に、私は深い感銘を覚えます。
The Value Beyond Victory: Dodgers Deliver More Than Just Titles in the 2026 Love LA Tour
Even after the stadium’s dazzling floodlights dim and the roar of the crowd fades into the night, the "season" for the Los Angeles Dodgers never truly ends. From my perspective as an observer of the game's deeper narratives, a true championship isn't defined solely by the luster of a trophy. It is defined by how the weight of that glory is converted into hope for the community. In 2026, I am seeing a team that understands this mission better than any other.
The "Dodgers Love LA Community Tour presented by Bank of America" was not just a series of photo ops. Over four intense days spanning from the heart of Los Angeles to the Inland Empire, the Dodgers proved that they are a vital piece of the city's "infrastructure of hope." This journey was a testament to what it means to be a world champion in the modern era.
The Sound of Hammers in North Hollywood: Honoring Our Veterans
The tour didn't begin with a gala or a red carpet. Instead, it started amidst the dust and raw timber of a construction site in North Hollywood. Partnering with "Homes for Families," this project focuses on a critical need: affordable housing for veterans and their families.
What caught my eye was the Employee Day of Service. More than 100 members of the Dodgers' front office staff traded their suits for work gloves. Seeing executives and clerks alike swinging hammers to prepare 12 new homes speaks volumes. When an entire organization gets its hands dirty, it signals a culture that views community issues as its own.
Analysis: The Dodgers showed that true "support" isn't just writing a check—it's physical presence. By sweating alongside the community, the organization builds a level of trust that transcends the numbers on a scoreboard. It transforms the team from a corporate entity into a neighbor.
A Place for Everyone: New Bonds in Santa Monica
The tour then moved to the breezy coast of Santa Monica, specifically to "Adrienne’s Place." This community center is a sanctuary—an inclusive space where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities can feel safe and connected. The Dodgers didn't just show up; they reinforced this haven with a $10,000 donation.
Watching Dodger alumnus Matt Luke engage in games and crafts with the participants was a reminder of the power of presence. "It’s an incredible center that provides community for everyone," Luke noted. For those who often feel marginalized, having the world's most famous baseball team sit down and play a game with them is a powerful validation of their worth. Wouldn't you agree that this kind of recognition is a victory in its own right?
Feeding the Soul: Direct Support for Economic Hardship
As economic pressures continue to weigh heavily on families in 2026, food security has become a paramount concern. At "Christie's Food Bank," the Dodgers and Bank of America provided a $10,000 grant and hands-on food distribution. The relief on the faces of those receiving these baskets was palpable.
Analysis: The commitment to "win both on and off the field" provides tangible dignity to residents. These weren't just groceries; they were a share of the "pride" that comes with a World Championship. It serves as a psychological pillar, ensuring that those in hardship feel seen and remembered by their city's icons.
Igniting the Next Generation: Outreach That Inspires
The second and fourth days of the tour focused on the future—the children.
The Hollydale "Recess Takeover": Collaborating with Playworks, the Dodgers filled the schoolyard with professional energy. Icons like Dennis Powell and Matt Luke ran alongside the kids, proving that the joy of movement is a universal language.
Discovery at the Aquarium of the Pacific: Students from 75th Street Elementary were invited to Long Beach. A staff member remarked that seeing the world through the "lens" of a child's eyes reminds us of the "wonder" and "curiosity" this world so desperately needs.
Surprise at El Rancho High: When players walked into a pep rally, the gym shook with a roar that rivaled any stadium crowd. Beyond the $10,000 donation, the raw adrenaline of the "Whitney Houston Challenge" basketball shots created memories that will likely last a lifetime for those students.
Guardians of the Inland Empire: Respecting First Responders
On Day 3, the tour traveled to San Bernardino. The visit to the Police Department came at a poignant time—the 10-year anniversary of a local tragedy. Bringing the World Series trophy into the station provided a surge of morale for those who work in high-stress environments. Furthermore, at the LA County Fire Department, players donned heavy protective gear to experience the grueling reality of fire training.
Analysis: One player noted that seeing the firefighters' preparation was "always an amazing experience." This highlights the reciprocity of respect. Sharing the trophy in places marked by past pain serves as a "rekindling of passion," allowing the community to look forward together while acknowledging the scars of the past.
The Magic of the Senior Prom and Tacos
In the final stretch, the tour headed to the Glendale Community Center for the annual "Senior Prom." Five active pitchers and catchers spent the evening dancing and dining with hundreds of seniors—fans who have supported the Blue for decades. The night ended with a humorous twist: players working the line at Jack in the Box, assembling tacos for hungry fans with varying degrees of culinary skill.
To see athletes who face extreme pressure on the mound holding hands with the elderly or laughing in a fast-food kitchen is to see the true heart of the Dodgers. The World Series trophy is merely the beautiful decoration for these moments of genuine human connection.
The 2026 Community Tour left a profound footprint across Southern California. "Dodgers Love LA" is no longer just a marketing slogan; it is a declaration of the team's role as a "hope infrastructure." It is an effort to permeate every corner of the city with the glory of victory and the strength of solidarity.
I find myself asking: what can we do in our own lives to bring a smile to someone else, much like these champions have? It doesn't require a massive grant or a parade. That small step of reaching out to a neighbor is the very thing that turns a community into a true champion.
