San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) reacts as he is hit by a pitch in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on June 19. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Fernando Tatis Jr Plaque Removed From Dodger Stadium

Originally posted on Los Angeles Dodgers on SI
By J.P. Hoornstra | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 1:46 PM ET

On Sept. 30, 2021, Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a home run off the top of Dodger Stadium's left field pavilion. The 467-foot blast was among few in the history of the National League's second-oldest park to come to rest outside the outfield confines.

The Dodgers, as is their custom, commemorated the homer with a plaque. Until this week, the Tatis plaque hung atop a stairwell leading to the bleacher seats. On Wednesday, a Reddit user pointed out the plaque had been removed.

Dennis Lin of The Athletic contacted the Dodgers, who said Tatis’ plaque "had been damaged and that an unblemished version would take its place by Los Angeles’ next homestand."

Fernando Tatis Jr. had a plaque at Dodger Stadium commemorating a 467-foot home run he hit out of the ballpark. The home run occurred on Sept. 30, 2021, was the second longest of his career. It was also the first home run to leave Dodger Stadium since Giancarlo Stanton in 2015. pic.twitter.com/SvN5TlvC58
— Factoids 101 (@PrepSportsPlus) June 20, 2025

According to the team , Tatis’ home run is the most recent of six homers to sail out of Dodger Stadium. Others belong to Giancarlo Stanton (475 feet), Mark McGwire (483 feet), Mike Piazza (478 feet) and Willie Stargell (470 feet and 506 feet, 6 inches).

While their commemorative plaques managed to remain standing as the Dodgers and Padres renewed their rivalry this week, the Tatis plaque did not. Turns out his right wrist wasn't the only thing to take a hit at Dodger Stadium.

Fernando Tatis Jr. has worn 3 fastballs from Dodgers pitchers in the last 10 days. pic.twitter.com/srZxVlxo4w
— Paul Hembekides (Hembo) (@PaulHembo) June 20, 2025

Was the timing of the plaque's removal coincidental to the animus between Tatis and the Dodgers' fan base? Lin, citing a team spokesperson, writes that it was unknown how the damage occurred.

Tatis became a lightning rod, in a near-literal sense as a magnet for baseballs, during the recent series between the Dodgers and Padres.

#Padres not happy Lou Trivino hit Fernando Tatis Jr. last Tuesday and again tonight. #Dodgers https://t.co/fik8XirjE0
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) June 18, 2025

Dodgers reliever Lou Trivino hit Tatis with a pitch on June 10 at Petco Park, then again on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium. Neither of those beanballs resulted in a major injury, and the Padres are hoping the same is true after Jack Little hit Tatis with a pitch on the right wrist Thursday night.

Padres third baseman Manny Machado said the Dodgers better “pray” Tatis is okay and the scans come back negative.

Manny Machado said the Dodgers better “pray” that scans on Fernando Tatis Jr.’s left hand come back negative.

“They better put out a candle.”
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) June 20, 2025

He added: “They need to set a little candle up for Tati tomorrow and hope that everything comes back negative.”

While they're at it, the Dodgers might consider lighting a second candle for the Tatis plaque — at a safe distance from the plaque, of course.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Dodgers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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