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Adrian Gonzalez has had a rough week in dealing with a muscle strain in his neck. But it appears his head, and heart, are in the right place. Gonzalez and his wife Betsy will host families at every remaining Viva Los Dodgers Sunday event this season, beginning on Mothers Day.
Gonzalez and his wife have partnered with various non-profit organizations to host 72 people (18 families of four) for each of the final 11 Sunday events this season, 'Adrian Gonzalez's Viva Los Dodgers Days.' This Sunday, Gonzalez will host families from Padres Contra El Cancer, an organization committed to improving the quality of life for Latino children with cancer and their families.
"My wife Betsy and I wanted to get families to Dodger games this season because we think a day at the ballpark is a wonderful way for families to spend time together," said Gonzalez in a release. "We chose Viva Los Dodgers Day because it offers a great family-friendly experience right before the game. We’re looking forward to hosting groups that may not have been able to make it out here otherwise."
Gonzalez and his wife will provide a parking pass for each group of four, plus tickets in the all-you-can-eat right field pavilion for the games.
"We’re very happy to host families at Viva Los Dodgers day at Dodger Stadium," said Betsy Gonzalez. "Family is the most important thing to us along with building our connection with the LA community. We look forward to this program and to continuing our charitable work in LA with the help of the Dodgers."
Viva Los Dodgers begins on Sunday at 10:40 a.m. PT.
On the field, Gonzalez has had his ups and downs. He hit a three-run home run in the first inning on Friday night and has an eight-game hitting streak, but his neck injury still causes him pain when running or fielding.
"I do worry about his neck, because then he makes the throw the (second) inning, and you see him walk. You can tell that the throw stung him," manager Don Mattingly said on Friday. "Obviously he can swing the bat, he can do some things. But the movements, or him chasing foul balls with his head up in the air trying to run, that bothers it right now."