RBI Banquet to Honor Dodgers

The Dodgers were honored for their 50 years in Los Angeles at the annual Reviving Baseball in the Inner Cities (RBI) Hall of Fame Dinner in Universal City. Former Dodgers Bobby Castillo, Kenny Landreaux and Darryl Strawberry, made up the 2008 class of the RBI Hall of Fame and were inducted in ceremonies during the evening.

    Castillo and Landreaux, both members of the Dodgers’ 1981 World Championship team, are active members of the Dodger Legends Bureau and recently participated in the 50th Anniversary Dodgers Community Caravan. Strawberry played for the Dodgers from 1991-93.  

Don Newcombe, former Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodger and the only player in Major League history to win the MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year awards, presented his annual “Don Newcombe Award,” given to the male and female athletes who had outstanding rookie years in the RBI program.   

RBI saluted Chuck Essegian and Ron Cey as members of previous Dodger World Championship teams (1959 and 1981) and recognized current Dodgers Matt Kemp and James Loney as representatives of future championship teams.  

Loney participated in the RBI program in Houston as a youth. Dodger broadcaster Charley Steiner emceed the event and Dodger legend “Sweet” Lou Johnson was in attendance.   

RBI is a baseball program that provides academic help while encouraging community and social responsibility. Founded in 1989 by John Young, RBI is the preeminent program of its kind that helps kids in the inner city and the Dodgers have been active sponsors since the program’s inception.