Former Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson, now of the Chicago Cubs, made his return to Los Angeles Thursday night, receiving a heartfelt tribute video on the center-field jumbotron and a 2020 World Series ring from former teammates Clayton Kershaw, Cody Bellinger, A.J. Pollock and Justin Turner. In a sweet gesture, the Dodgers presented a second World Series ring to Pederson’s older brother, Champ, who was born with Down syndrome.
“I’m very proud of it,” said Champ during an in-game interview with Cubs reporter Elise Menaker of Marquee Sports. “It’s definitely an awesome experience for me.”
Champ said the ring was a surprise, claiming he had no knowledge of the Dodgers’ and Pederson’s plans to honor him at Thursday night’s game. “They’re a great organization, a great team. The Cubs are a great organization as well but to be part of it, I’m just very happy to be Joc’s older brother.”
Throughout his career, the 29-year-old Pederson has made sure to share his success with Champ, who frequently attends his brother’s games. “He's the smartest, funniest person you'll meet,” Pederson told Yahoo Sports in 2014. “I know things are harder for him. So I try not to take things for granted. It's a good reminder. [Professional athletes are] special. But, he's special, too.”
Not only did the Cubs hand Dodgers ace Walker Buehler his first defeat of the season Thursday night, but pitchers Zach Davies, Ryan Tepera, Andrew Chafin and Craig Kimbrel combined to throw the 17th no-hitter in club history. The no-hitter was already MLB’s seventh of 2021, tying 2015 for the most in a single season. Ironically enough, the last time Los Angeles was no-hit was also against the Cubs, with former Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta doing the deed in 2015.
Pederson went hitless with a strikeout in his return to Dodger Stadium, reaching once on a seventh-inning hit-by-pitch.
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