Editorial: Hey Dodgers, your silence will cost you countless Latino fans

Dodgers Stadium was built on the grounds of the communities of La Loma, Palo Verde and Bishop. On May 9, 1959, residents, mostly Mexican American families, were forcibly evicted by bulldozers and Los Angeles sheriff deputies.

Even after this sordid history, the Dodgers have enjoyed the patronage and have profited from Latino fans in Los Angeles, the largest demographic in the city and the county. We sell out games, make up a large portion of your fanbase and contribute to your success in both motivation and in talent. It’s rare not to see a Latino immigrant on the team’s roster, like this year’s outfielders Andy Pages from Cuba and Teoscar Hernández from Venezuela. (And no, Kike Hernández, the Puerto Rican infielder, is no immigrant, but he’s sure speaking up for us like he is).

But since June 6, when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers came down heavily on the city and surrounding communities, raiding Home Depots looking for day laborers, hitting workplaces and swapmeets, like Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet this weekend, and while L.A. residents — the same ones who cheer on the “Boys in Blue” come game day — exercised their right to protest and were vilified by a president who chose to militarize the city instead of listening to its people, the Dodgers, as an organization, have said nothing. 

Dodgers, your silence speaks volumes. 

We have sold out your stadium, not just for Mexican, Salvadoran or Guatemalan Heritage Nights, but time and time again. When you won the World Series in 2020, the city was with you, even though we couldn’t celebrate in the streets. But when you won in 2024, we made up for that last title and came out in force to show our support. 

Angel City FC and LAFC, soccer teams that have been a part of this city’s sports landscape for far less than the Dodgers, have released statements in support of the immigrant community and all those who are experiencing fear and uncertainty. Angel City FC players were seen wearing “Immigrant City Football Club” shirts at their games. Maybe it’s time this town becomes a soccer town and forgets about baseball. 

The Latino community of Los Angeles has shown up for the Dodgers. Where are you now that we need you? 

You offer a Fernando Valenzuela bobblehead as an ode to the Mexican legend, yet ban R&B artist Nezza for daring to interpret the U.S. National Anthem in Spanish. Did you forget what “El Toro de Etchohuaquila” gave to your organization? He was your Spanish commentator, the one who helped keep your Spanish-speaking fans engaged. He was also the symbol that so many Latinos around the world have admired the Dodgers for, and this is how you honor his memory? By staying silent while thousands of his people get kidnapped off the streets in unmarked vans by unidentified masked men? 

This is not just disgraceful, it is unforgivable. 

Of course, fans will continue supporting the Boys in Blue. Who doesn’t love a ballgame during the summer while the Southern California sun sets behind the palm trees? But should we continue to show love to an organization that is not loyal to us? That can’t even bother to make a statement sympathizing with our plight when it needs us to survive?

No, Dodgers, you cannot expect our communities to continue paying for your overpriced hot dogs and beers when our government, the one you have openly shown support for, is actively disappearing us.