BJK's doubleheader: library opening and bobblehead night

How’s this for a Saturday doubleheader?

Tennis legend and social activist Billie Jean King helped open the Billie Jean King Main Library in her hometown of Long Beach, CA before heading up to Dodger Stadium for Billie Jean King Bobblehead Night.

Photos by Matt Fitzgerald

King, who got her start in tennis as a fifth grader on public courts and shortly thereafter had an epiphany that becoming a champion tennis player would provide her a platform to advocate for equal rights, was introduced in the morning by Robert Garcia, Mayor of Long Beach.

Garcia declared King the “most decorated person to come out of Long Beach” before King talked about the importance of her roots and how this new library will provide access for everyone to “be the best they can be.”

The 75-year-old appropriately ended her address by stating “my library is your library. Mi biblioteca es su biblioteca!” King then joined Garcia for a ribbon cutting to officially open the establishment to the public.

After a midday break, it was time to hit the freeway for a special evening with the Los Angeles Dodgers. King, a minority owner of the team along with partner Ilana Kloss, was joined on the mound by a student from Los Cerritos Elementary School. Three-time Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw was behind the plate to catch King’s first pitch delivery.

Actor Ashton Kutcher and his wife actress Mila Kunis even got in on the action.

The power couple had King sign their bobbleheads and posed for photos.

While the Dodgers were unable to produce a victory over the Colorado Rockies, it was still a day that will surely resonate with King forever.