Salvador Santana, the son of legendary guitarist Carlos Santana, will play at Dodger Stadium prior to the May 23 game against the Detroit Tigers during Viva Los Dodgers .

 

The 26-year-old offspring of the eclectic Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Famer is also a multi-dimensional musician. Salvador is a keyboardist, vocalist, composer and songwriter who will bring his genre-bending mix of music to the Viva Los Dodgers stage in Lot G outside of center field, two hours prior to the 1:10 p.m. game.

 

Viva Los Dodgers is a celebration of Hispanic culture in Los Angeles and the legacy of Latin-American Dodger players past and present that takes place every Sunday home game at Dodger Stadium.

 

In this case, it’s also an opportunity to watch a budding musician who continues the legacy of one of the biggest names in Hispanic music.

Every Sunday at every Dodger homestand, you’ll see a celebration of Hispanic culture and the legacy of Latin-American Dodger players past and present.

 

Viva Los Dodger Days kicked off on April 18. Hoards of curious fans made their way to the Dodger Stadium parking lot to check out the events.

 

If you weren’t there, you missed a performance by Omar Esau, Kalibre Sierreño and La Klica Norteña. You also missed information booths, giveaways, games and more.

 

“This is something that’s very good for my heart and my people,” said Esau.

 

Concerts begin at 11 a.m. outside of center field in Lot G. On May 23, Salvador Santana, the son of legendary guitarist Carlos Santana, will perform at Viva Los Dodgers.

 

And you just might find a Dodger.

 

On April 18, former Dodger pitcher Bobby Castillo signed autographs and posed for pictures with the fans.

 

“Look at all these happy, smiling faces out here. Look at this place,” he said. “Viva los Dodgers.”

He has been called many things — El Toro, Cy Young Award Winner, Rookie of the Year, Dodger legend. Now he is a treasure.

 

On April 8, legendary Dodger pitcher and current Spanish-language broadcaster Fernando Valenzuela was honored by the Central City Association of Los Angeles at the 16th Annual “Treasures of Los Angeles” luncheon. The event was held at the J.W. Marriott at L.A. Live.

 

“Treasures of Los Angeles” honors Angelenos from all walks of life — culture, politics, athletics and people who give to their community.

 

“This is really big for me to be part of this. I say this is very big because to cancel my golf round, it’s got to be pretty good,” joked Valenzuela to the attendees.

 

In all seriousness, Valenzuela said it was an honor to be recognized in the city where he thrived as a Major League pitcher. Said L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti:

 

“For me, Fernando is somebody I grew up with and have known and loved for years. As a native Angeleno, as a Latino, it makes me very proud that he’s one of our treasures.”

 

Another prominent Los Angeles athlete who was a contemporary of Valenzuela’s was also honored at the ceremony. Laker great James Worthy gave his own memory of Fernandomania.

 

“It was a lot of passion in Fernando and it was contagious throughout the city,” said Worthy.

Manny Ramirez said he’s been on a bullet train before. One time he rode it in Japan.

 

It’s lost its flavor.

 

While waiting for the bullet train in Taiwan during the Dodgers’ March trip to the island, Ramirez wanted to talk about something else.

 

“I don’t know, but we went and got some snake blood last night,” he said.

 

He explained that he had a picture of it.

 

Dodger second baseman Ronnie Belliard tried to pull him back on the subject.

 

“They’re talking about the train and you’re talking about snake blood? What’s wrong with you?”Belliard asked in a humorous exchange.

 

“Si va a suceder, es por que yo quiero.”

 

Host father of five Dominican-born Ogden Raptors players, Leon Robinson, gave his “kids” dog tags with the saying on it.

 

And they believe.

 

The five players, though out of their element, adapted to life in Utah playing for the Dodgers’ Rookie-League club.

 

“I feel like I’m at home with my real mom,” said Raptor pitcher Luis Vasquez during the 2009 season.

 

The Robinson family, which has hosted Raptor players for five straight seasons, embraced the five players and the players embraced their new lifestyle.

 

They even went into a classroom to test their English skills.

 

It’s their dream to make it to the big leagues, like fellow Dominican Manny Ramirez.

 

As the flip-side of the dog tag reads: If it’s to be, it is up to me.”

 

Ronnie Belliard is back with the Dodgers, and it’s about another chance for a World Series for the veteran infielder , who was picked up late in the season by the 2006 Cardinals and helped that team win its first World Series title since 1982.

 

“The thing is doing whatever it takes to help this team win a World Series,” said Belliard. “That’s what everything is about, you know?”

 

Belliard said that the key to postseason success is to stay cool in the moment, while still rising to the occasion when your moment comes. He already had one such moment for the Dodgers, as he came through with a big hit in the Dodgers’ come-from-behind victory over the Cardinals in Game 2 of the NLDS. With the Dodgers trailing by a run and two out in the bottom of the ninth, Belliard hit a single up the middle that scored the tying run to set up the dramatic Mark Loretta single that drove in Casey Blake for the winning run in the 3-2 game. 

 

Belliard has a simple philosophy when it comes to October dramatics.

 

“You have to get there first before you worry about it,” said Belliard. “And then when you get there, you don’t worry about it.”