Bloomington Little League gets opening day visit from two ex-Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers’ legends Bill Russell and Reggie Smith returned to Little League on Saturday, May 1 — to help Bloomington Little League celebrate its opening day.

Members of the Bloomington Community gather around Mary Ann Mendoza and San Bernardino County 5th District Supervisor Joe Baca Jr., for a ribbon cutting during the Bloomington Little League opening day ceremony at Kessler Park in Bloomington, Ca., May 1, 2021. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela)
Former Los Angeles Dodgers player and coach Bill Russell speaks to Bloomington Little Leaguers during the opening day ceremony at Kessler Park in Bloomington, Ca., May 1, 2021. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela)
Bloomington Little League farm division Pirates take the field during the opening day ceremony at Kessler Park in Bloomington, Ca., May 1, 2021. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela)
San Bernardino County 5th District Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. greets Bloomington Little Leaguers during the opening day ceremony at Kessler Park in Bloomington, Ca., May 1, 2021. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela)
Mary Ann Mendoza high fives San Bernardino County 5th District Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. after throwing out the first pitch during the Bloomington Little League opening day ceremony at Kessler Park in Bloomington, Ca., May 1, 2021. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela)
Former Los Angeles Dodgers player Reggie Smith speaks to Bloomington Little Leaguers during the opening day ceremony at Kessler Park in Bloomington, Ca., May 1, 2021. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela)
Former Los Angeles Dodgers player and coach Bill Russell speaks to Bloomington Little Leaguers during the opening day ceremony at Kessler Park in Bloomington, Ca., May 1, 2021. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela)

San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. and his office helped make the appearance possible.

At more than 65 years old, Bloomington Little League is the longest-running youth sports program in Bloomington offering baseball and softball for youths between 4 and 16, according to its Facebook page.

Russell, a longtime Dodgers’ shortstop, joined the team in 1969 and later managed the Dodgers. Smith, an outfielder, was traded to Los Angeles in 1976. Both played on the team’s 1981 World Series championship roster.

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