World Series Activation Puts Spotlight On Celebrity Fans, MLB Star Power
Friday, October 25, 2024 at 12:01PM By Barry Janoff
October 25, 2024: The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees have met a league record 11 times in the World Series, but the last time was 43 years ago (1981), and MLB is not about to let the 12th matchup happen without major activation, hoopla and star power.
As MLB does at every Fall Classic, each of the first four games at the 2024 World Series presented by Capital One (Fox) will be preceded by on-field ceremonies and moments, including the First Pitch, singing the national anthem and honoring a plethora of players and VIPs from both teams in their respective home stadiums.
This year, with the glitter of Hollywood and the bright lights of Broadway at center stage, it is apropos that high-profile supporters of the Dodgers and Yankees are in the spotlight.
A new MLB World Series spot, “Empire State of California Love” — with the tag line “Two coasts. One crown.” — shows on-field action from both teams played out to “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, and 2Pac’s “California Love” with Dr. Dre.
World Series network Fox Sports has “Ron Howard Gets Us Hyped For The 2024 World Series" by taking about the history of the rivalry and the impact of the current teams.
A spot from MLB Network, “Dodgers vs. Yankees In The World Series,” features snippets of images and play-by-play calls from the previous 11 meetings leading to 2024, played out to “Bright Lights” by The Killers.
A spot produced by the Dodgers is headlined by Flea from L.A. icons Red Hot Chili Peppers.
One commercial from the Yankees, “World Series NY Yankees,” puts Fat Joe from The Bronx front-and-center; while another stars pro wrestler Damian Priest.
Both teams have their own star power, including Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, who feature prominently in MLB’s multi-media marketing, including broadcast, Internet, social media, print and such out-of-home locations as New York’s Times Square, L.A.’s The Grove, The Sphere in Las Vegas.
There are also “113 digital billboards in Tokyo, with 113 representing the total of Ohtani’s stolen bases (59) and home runs (54), according to The Los Angeles Times.
“Every station that I turn on in the morning, they’re talking about this,” Noah Garden, MLB deputy commissioner-business and media, told The Times.
“Whether it’s ra
dio stations, whether it’s TV stations, whether it’s news programs . . . This has clearly broken through. This is part of the national conversation.”
According to Garden, “Kids walking around with Judge and Ohtani jerseys that are not just in New York and L.A., that’s a beginning of that transition. If this can help accelerate that, which I have every expectation it will based on what we are seeing, that just continues to push our sport nationally and internationally.
“That’s our strategy.”
Capital One, the presenting sponsor of the World Series and official bank and credit card partner of MLB, will present a check donation of $250,000 to the Jackie Robinson Foundation. Capital One continued its partnership with the Jackie Robinson Foundation for a third consecutive year by donating $1,000 for each “Capital One Walk-Off” this season.
(Editor's note: The Dodgers won Game 1 via Freddie Freeman's grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning, 6-3, the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history, which was rewarded via a Capital One donation.)
Prior to Game 1 in Dodger Stadium (Oct. 25), Dodger fan and Grammy Award winning country music star Brad Paisley will perform the national anthem; and MLB, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dodgers Foundation will unveil plans to support Clifford Elementary School, located in the community surrounding Dodger Stadium.
Two Dodgers World Series MVPs will participate in a ceremonial first pitch moment: Steve Yeager (1981) and Orel Hershiser (1988).
Alumna of the Watts Willowbrook Boys & Girls Club in Los Angeles Julieta R., 18, will deliver the game ball for Game 1.
Also before Game 1, the Dodgers and MLB will pay tribute to Dodger great and 1981 World Series champion Fernando Valenzuela, who passed away this week.
His family will be in attendance. Dodgers players will wear a “34” patch on their uniforms for the entirety of the World Series as well as during the 2025 season.
Game 2 (Oct. 26) will celebrate youth baseball and softball. MLB has invited more than 100 youth who participate in various MLB-led and localized community programs all around the country to Dodger Stadium. 
Nico F., 18, the 2024-25 National Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Clubs of America will deliver the game ball for Game 2.
In keeping with the youth recognition theme of Game 2, MLB and the Dodgers will provide a special experience for six young fans from around the country and Canada to have their wishes granted, through Make-A-Wish, to attend the World Series with their families.
Pearle Peterson, 19, 2023 Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth Talent Performer, will make her return to the World Series to sing the “Star Spangled Banner” before Game 2 for the second consecutive year.
Former teammates Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp will be part of the first pitch ceremony before Game 2. Each player was part of National League Champion Dodger teams (2017 and 2018, respectively).
Los Angeles native Ice Cube will perform special World Series editions of his hits “Bow Down” and “It Was a Good Day” in Dodger Stadium prior to Game 2.
Fat Joe will perform a custom version of his hit tracks “New York” and “All the Way Up” before Game 3 (Oct. 28), in the first game of the 2024 World Series in Yankee Stadium.
More details for Game 3 and Game 4 in Yankee Stadium will follow, including a live MLB Stand Up To Cancer moment during Game 4.
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