Robbie Rogers Throws Out First Pitch At L.A. Dodgers’ LGBT Night

Also at Dodgers Stadium: Jason Collins, Michael Sam, and former NFLer Esera Tuaolo.
From: NewNowNext

On Friday, the L.A. Dodgers hosted their fourth annual LGBT night, with out soccer player Robbie Rogers throwing the ceremonial
first pitch.

Bringing the HEAT 🔥⚾️@robbierogers threw out the first pitch at the @Dodgers' LGBT Pride Night. #WeLoveLA pic.twitter.com/huiKTnsEqM

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) June 4, 2016

Rogers makes his living in a sport where you can’t use your hands, but he was no slouch on the pitching mound.

Nice pitch, @robbierogers! 👏 pic.twitter.com/qfgtAGEFHq

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 4, 2016

Me tonight at @Dodgers stadium. pic.twitter.com/DbVgqLFqiW

— Robbie Rogers (@robbierogers) June 3, 2016

Both Michael Sam and Jason Collins were at Dodger Stadium, where former NFL player Esera Tuaolo sang the National Anthem. (Tuaolo came out in 2002, after retiring from football.) Out college basketball coach Julie Shaw and Mitch Eby, the first openly gay player in college football, were also listed among the VIPs.

In fact the only professional sport not represented, ironically, was Major League Baseball.

It's time for @dodgers baseball ;) thank you Dodgers for hosting tonight's pride night, visibility matters 📸: @gberlanti

A photo posted by Robbie Rogers (@robbierogers) on Jun 3, 2016 at 7:32pm PDT

At least not by a player: Erik Braverman, the Dodgers’ VP of marketing, came out in December.

Others in attendance included Lance Bass, Leslie Jordan, The Real O’Neals’ Noah Galvin, Rich Kids of Beverly Hills star E.J. Johnson.

Good to see my buddy Lance Bass at the Dodger game. @967prideradio

A photo posted by Esera Tuaolo (@nfljock98) on Jun 4, 2016 at 1:00pm PDT

#DodgerNightOut with the family!!!

A photo posted by Lance Bass (@lancebass) on Jun 3, 2016 at 7:49pm PDT

Ran into an old friend, Beverly Leslie in WEHO.. 😝😜😝😁. My favorite Tammy Wynette. ❤️. #celebritysighting #funny 96.7 Pride Radio 101.3 KDWB #fan

A photo posted by Esera Tuaolo (@nfljock98) on Jun 2, 2016 at 12:39pm PDT

And special rainbow-colored Dodgers tank tops were available for sale.

LGBT Night is one of many themed nights at Dodgers Stadium—others include Hispanic Heritage Night, Yoga Day, Sinatra Night, Filipino Heritage Night and Military Appreciation Night.

@robbierogers, two-sport athlete? #LGBTNight 📷: @jon.soohoo

A photo posted by Los Angeles Dodgers (@dodgers) on Jun 3, 2016 at 7:37pm PDT

Of course there were the usual howls of “when is Straight Night?”, to which one commenter had the perfect reply

“The answer is every other day the Dodgers play.”

…You will never know the importance this game has for a young fan that has no idea that’s there’s a world out there that’s full of possibilities.

Robbie Rogers should be proud. He’s man enough to be public and put himself in a position where he’s ridiculed by complete strangers that have no idea what he had to go though to now be here throwing the first pitch at a major league baseball game.

He’s more courageous than most of you will ever be—also he’s more successful than you. #eatit

COREYYYY! @coreyseager5 crushes a solo home run in the fourth. #LetsGoDodgers 📷: @jon.soohoo

A photo posted by Los Angeles Dodgers (@dodgers) on Jun 3, 2016 at 8:32pm PDT

LGBT Pride Night is tonight! Join us in the Right Field Plaza starting at 5:10 p.m. and enjoy a special Blue Pride-themed drink and music from DJ Adam. Members of the Varsity Gay League will play kickball on he field at 5:45 p.m. For more info visit the Facebook event page at Facebook.com/Dodgers.

A photo posted by Los Angeles Dodgers (@dodgers) on Jun 3, 2016 at 1:46pm PDT