by Rowan Kavner

Every time Kirk Gibson walks into Dodger Stadium, he looks up into the stands toward the area in right field where his 1988 World Series Game 1 walk-off home run ball landed.

Now, that seat will be marked for all to see.

The Dodgers will pay tribute to Gibson’s iconic home run by painting that seat blue and adorning it with Gibson’s painted signature as well as a historical marker. Section 302, Row D, Seat 1 in the Right Field Pavilion will be the first seat at Dodger Stadium marked for a historical event, and the purchase of that seat will help raise money in the fight against Parkinson’s disease.

“I’m proud to say the Dodgers have stepped up in huge fashion to join forces with me and my foundation while celebrating the 30th anniversary of the home run,” Gibson said.

The Kirk Gibson seat must be purchased as a pair with the seat next to it and will cost $300 for the two seats, with $200 of that purchase going to the Kirk Gibson Foundation to raise money and awareness for Parkinson’s research. The purchase of the seats also includes two commemorative T-shirts and food and drink in the Coca-Cola All-You-Can-Eat Right Field Pavilion.

Tickets for the Gibson seat will be available at Dodgers.com/Gibson and will go on sale to the public Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. PT.

As the Dodgers celebrate their 60 years in Los Angeles this year, the Gibson seat is part of the Dodgers’ recognition of the 30th anniversary season of the Dodgers’ 1988 World Series win and Gibson’s blast.

Gibson said he still gets goosebumps every time he sees the replay of the home run, and he was just proud to be part of that moment in Dodger lore. As time passes, he’s realized and appreciated the impact that moment had on the game and where his place in history lies with the fans and the city.

Of course, Vin Scully’s unforgettable reaction to the home run will never be forgotten, either.

“It was a great call,” Gibson said. “The fans’ reaction, teammates’ reaction, the city of Los Angeles … it’s a cool deal. That’s why you just keep plugging on.”

The Dodgers and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will partner with the Kirk Gibson Foundation in fundraising efforts throughout the opening week of the 2018 season, including the donation of the proceeds of the Opening Day LADF 50–50 raffle and a silent auction.

Gibson will throw out the ceremonial first pitch Thursday on Opening Day presented by Bank of America. The celebration will continue the next day, when the Dodgers will give away a Kirk Gibson Special Edition bobblehead presented by Bank of America to the first 40,000 ticketed fans in attendance Friday.

“As far as coming back to Dodger Stadium and being recognized for what we accomplished in 1988, (it’s) humbling,” Gibson said. “I do this in honor of my teammates, both on and off the field, and all the people who made that year such a special year.”

LADF will also hold an online auction from April 9–30 for 88 limited-edition, Gibson-autographed bobbleheads and the Dodgers’ game-worn jerseys from the March 30 game, with proceeds benefitting the Kirk Gibson Foundation.

“Kirk Gibson was part of one of the greatest moments in Dodger history and we’re thrilled to partner with Kirk to help him and his foundation raise funds and awareness in fighting Parkinson’s Disease,” said Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer Lon Rosen.

Gibson played for the Dodgers for three years (1988–90). Following his 17-year career, he served as the manager of the Diamondbacks (2010–14) and as a television analyst.

Gibson said every time he returns to Dodger Stadium, the fans have been unbelievable to him. Even when he returned to Dodger Stadium as a competitor, he cherished his trips back.

“It’s a beautiful place,” Gibson said. “I enjoyed competing there, I enjoy watching games there, and I will enjoy rooting the Dodgers on for the 30th anniversary and hoping they can win another one.”

Off the diamond now, much of Gibson’s time is spent raising money for Parkinson’s research, fighting the disease and helping others who are doing the same. He said he’s doing well in that fight, and he’s looking into everything he can to try to help others live as symptom-free as possible.

“I’m on a mission to do what I can to help the many people that are trying to find a cure for the disease,” Gibson said.

In addition to the Gibson seat, the Dodgers announced they will offer a new Field Level seating option available for the 2018 season with the Field Drink Rail Seats, which will include a table top and barstool seating at the top row of sections 1–13. Tickets can be purchased at Dodgers.com by selecting Field Drink Rail Seats among the seating options. The view from these seats may be restricted at times by fans in front of the seats.