Yoshiki (left) and Hello Kitty hold microphones together on the field before the game at Dodger Stadium. (© Sankei by Kento Kura)
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.
The ball bounced three times before neatly landing in Yamamoto's glove. That prompted loud cheers from the stands.
Hello Kitty Night at Dodger Stadium
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.
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.)
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- Hello Kitty Celebrates Her Big 5-0 in Taiwan
(Read a related column in Japanese.)
Author: Kento Kura, Photographer, The Sankei Shimbun
