By Erin Edwards
On a packed night at Dodger Stadium, with Shohei Ohtani set to take the mound and fans buzzing with excitement, an 8-year-old from the Dodgers Dreamteam program stepped into the spotlight. His name is Adrian, and his story is one of determination, teamwork, and a little bit of imagination.
Adrian, who has been playing baseball for three years — starting with t-ball, moving through coach pitch, and now taking on the Minors division — earned his way to the mound through the Dodgers Dreamteam Recycle Challenge, a season-long effort to reduce landfill waste in partnership with Los Angeles County Public Works.
At home, Adrian made recycling a family mission. He carefully sorted bottles and cans with his grandparents, always eager to head to the redemption center with bags in hand. Out in the community, his sharp eye never missed a chance to make a difference. Whenever he spotted a stray can or bottle on the ground, he’d scoop it up and proudly say: “For Freddie Freeman.” That small phrase became his rallying cry, tying his recycling journey to the dream of standing just 60 feet, 6 inches from his favorite Dodger.
This year, Dodgers Dreamteam athletes across Los Angeles recycled more than 2,800 pounds of bottles and cans. The three teams that collected the most — representing Obregon, Holly, and Sorenson Parks — were rewarded with tickets to the game, where they cheered on Adrian as he took center stage.
Introduced as the Top Recycler, Adrian walked to the mound with Director of Public Works Mark Pestrella by his side. Facing Freddie Freeman behind the plate, he took a deep breath and delivered. As the ball sailed across home plate, Freeman’s smile lit up the field, and the crowd roared.
It wasn’t just a pitch — it was a symbol of how small acts of responsibility can add up to big impact. For Adrian and his teammates, the challenge wasn’t just about bottles and cans. It was about pride, teamwork, and the chance to prove that even the youngest Angelenos can step up for their city.
As the crowd applauded and Adrian grinned from ear to ear, one thing was clear: this night — and that pitch — will stay with him forever.
To learn more about the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, visit Dodgers.com/LADF.
From Recyclables to the Mound: Dodgers Dreamteam Player Throws First Pitch was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.