Champion LA Kings Take Batting Practice, Then Are Honored At Dodger Stadium Before Game
CHAVEZ RAVINE (CBSLA.com) — The Los Angeles Kings visited the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium before their NL West game against the Colorado Rockies — and took the Stanley Cup with them.
After taking batting practice, Kings players threw a ceremonial first pitch and joined Dodger players in posing with the Cup.
"As much as we're fans of them, I guess they're fans of us, too," Kings center Jeff Carter told CBS2's Jim Hill. "So, it's kind of cool to come and meet them, (and) bring the cup down to show them."
"It's great to see the guys out here and running around, and throwing the ball around, and trying to hit some out," Kings center Jarret Stoll said.
Among those impressed by the batting practice success of the LA Kings was Dodgers skipper Don Mattingly.
"These guys have got pretty good strokes, actually," Mattingly said. "And they're actually really athletic, especially with the ball down. I guess it's a little bit like that slapshot, right?"
The Kings' festivities are scheduled to continue on Wednesday with a 90-minute parade through Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach. The parade is set to begin at 3 p.m. at the Redondo Beach Police Department.
Meanwhile, Kings defenseman Drew Doughty said it would be nice for the Dodgers to follow in the Kings' championship footsteps.
"It would be nice to see them do the same thing," Doughty said. "We have all the best sports teams in LA, and this is an amazing franchise, this stadium is amazing, and it's fun to come out here and hit some balls. We really appreciate it a lot."