The Los Angeles Dodgers are turning Game 1 of the National League Division Series into a tribute to a beloved local fan and Air Force officer. Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Estrella, an LA native who served as a weapon systems officer on a B‑52 Stratofortress, was among eight people killed when the bomber crashed at Edwards Air Force Base in June.
Tribute ceremony planned for Saturday
Before the Dodgers face the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium, three B‑52 aircraft from Edwards will fly over the stadium during the national anthem. The flyover will be part of a pre‑game ceremony that also includes a rendition of the anthem by local singer Keith Williams Jr.
“The flight crew will be honoring fallen airman and the Military Hero of the Game, U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Estrella, who passed away in July from a bomber crash,” MLB said in a release shared Friday.
Estrella’s love of baseball
Estrella grew up in Los Angeles and fulfilled his lifelong dream of attending a World Series at Dodger Stadium twice, in 2024 and 2025. He was looking forward to a possible three‑peat this year, according to an obituary written by his family.
His wife, Brianna Estrella, told NBC Los Angeles, “I am so grateful that they are honoring him. He truly was one of their biggest fans, and with him being an LA native, it means that much more.” The obituary also noted that he loved sharing baseball with his family, especially taking his daughter to games and creating lasting memories.
First pitch and community support
The first pitch for the game is scheduled for 1 p.m., and the Dodgers organization has invited fans to join in a moment of silence before play begins. Community leaders and military representatives are expected to attend, underscoring the deep ties between the team, the city’s service members, and the families who support them.
Dodger Stadium has a long tradition of honoring military service members, and this tribute adds a personal, local dimension by recognizing a fan who served his country and loved the Dodgers. The ceremony reflects the team’s commitment to the community and to the families of those who sacrifice for the nation.
About the NLDS matchup
The Dodgers, who have reached the postseason for three straight years, will open the series against the Atlanta Braves. Both clubs are vying for a spot in the National League Championship Series, with the Dodgers hoping to continue their recent run of success.
Fans attending the game will experience both the excitement of postseason baseball and a heartfelt remembrance of a hometown hero. The tribute serves as a reminder that the sport brings together families, faith, and patriotism—values that resonate deeply in the Los Angeles community.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
