Baseball

Hello Kitty Throws the 1st Pitch on Specially Themed Night at Dodger Stadium

Is Hello Kitty a good luck charm? The LA Dodgers won on Hello Kitty Night after the famed Sanrio character threw the ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium.

Published on

April 21, 2024

JAPAN Forward

On Tuesday, April 16, Hello Kitty made a special appearance at Dodger Stadium, home of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers.

It was "Hello Kitty Night." Celebrating, the beloved Sanrio character took to the mound for the ceremonial first pitch. Wearing a Dodgers number 74 uniform, she threw the ball with a shotput-like style as she aimed for pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto's glove.

*Hello Kitty throws the ceremonial first pitch at the Dodgers vs Nationals game in Los Angeles on April 16, 2024. (© Sankei by Kento Kura)*

The ball bounced three times before neatly landing in Yamamoto's glove. That prompted loud cheers from the stands.

*[MLB Dodgers vs. Nationals] Yoshiki and Hello Kitty declare the opening of Dodger Stadium before the game on April 16. (© Sankei by Kento Kura)*

Hello Kitty Night at Dodger Stadium

*Music legend Yoshiki from the rock band X JAPAN poses for a commemorative photo with the Hello Kitty sign in the background on the field at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles. (© Sankei by Kento Kura)*

The Dodgers went on to play the Washington Nationals, winning 6-2 on the Hello Kitty-themed night.

Meanwhile, Hello Kitty accepted help from music legend Yoshiki for the evening's entertainment and stood by as the influential musician received a standing ovation for his performance. Yoshiki is also an important supporter of Hello Kitty as he created her 50th Anniversary global theme song.

*Music legend Yoshiki performs the US national anthem on piano at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. (© Sankei by Kento Kura)*

*Yoshiki performs the US national anthem on the piano at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kento Kura)*

The Dodgers, led by Okinawan-born manager Dave Roberts, are considered one of the favorites to win the 2024 World Series. Superstar Shohei Ohtani's team will hold its second Hello Kitty Night of the season on August 19 against the Seattle Mariners. (The team's full promotional schedule for the season is posted on MLB's official website.)