Dodgers players gathered in Manhattan Beach on a chilly morning in the South Bay. They were there to support Chris Taylor’s charity club, the CT3 foundation. Alongside celebrities and locals, they took part in a cold plunge, immersing themselves in the frigid waters of the Pacific coast for a worthy cause.
The atmosphere at Sunday’s CT3 Foundation event was filled with a strong sense of community. Local coffee roasters and bakeries set up shop on the sandy shores, providing sustenance for the brave participants waiting to take part in the CT3 Foundation Charity Polar Plunge.
One of the standout figures at the event was Tyler Glasnow, a former Ray-turned-Dodger. With his striking resemblance to Cillian Murphy and his impressive height of 6-foot-8, Glasnow attracted attention from amused fathers and swooning women. In fact, one lady even asked him to take a photo of her and her husband. Truly a moment that made him the real MVP.
Mario Lopez, known for his role in “Saved By The Bell,” joined Chris Taylor as the event’s EmCee. Taylor sported orange floaties on his arms and a Wendy Peffercorn shirt, exuding charisma that convinced hundreds of people to take the plunge into the chilly waters. And let’s not forget his resemblance to Joe Flacco.
Throughout the day, various notable members of the organization made appearances, including Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward, Brusdar Graterol, Gavin Lux, Max Muncy, Bobby Miller, Alex Vesia, and skipper Dave Roberts.
As the wind picked up and the waves grew stronger around 9:40 a.m., it was clear that a storm was approaching Southern California, set to bring rain for the next week. Lifeguards were stationed in the water, with a designated area for participants to jump in located about 50 yards away. Hundreds of people gathered on the sandy beach, braving the intensifying winds, many of them standing shirtless.
With anticipation building, Dodgers players, fans, and volunteers prepared themselves for the plunge into the ocean waters. A countdown from 15 ensued, and as soon as the crowd shouted “zero,” everyone sprinted into the water.
In the midst of the descent, Mookie Betts, a prominent player for the Dodgers, discreetly joined his group – the most secretive of the Dodgers crew. He took a plunge and swiftly departed, making his way to the nearby Strand House restaurant for the overflow gathering.
Surprisingly, Shohei Ohtani was nowhere to be found amidst all the commotion.
The weekend had already been eventful for Dodgers enthusiasts, with the annual fanfest occurring at Chavez Ravine on Saturday afternoon. The sight of so many star players on a single roster undoubtedly signals a make-or-break season for the Dodgers in 2024-25.
Last season, the Dodgers achieved 100 victories but encountered an early exit from the postseason at the hands of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Will the Dodgers finally put an end to their disappointing postseason drought in 2024-25?
(P.S. The individual at the entrance tent did not appreciate my vibe… hence, here is the mission statement of the CT3 Foundation:
‘Established in 2020, the CT3 Foundation has experienced significant growth in raising substantial funds to directly support families in their community, as well as collaborating with inspiring organizations. CT3F has a notable impact in Los Angeles and Chris’ hometown of Virginia Beach.’)
Alejandro Avila resides in Southern California and formerly reported news for the LA Football Network. An expert in Jeopardy and a disgruntled sports enthusiast, he is recognized for having watched every film and possessing an insatiable sweet tooth. @alejandroaveela (on X)