Jake and Romy Reiner made their first public appearance since the December 14, 2025, deaths of their parents, filmmaker Rob Reiner and photographer Michelle Reiner, by throwing ceremonial first pitches at Dodger Stadium on Sunday. The siblings honored their parents during the Los Angeles Dodgers' game against the Boston Red Sox, an event that became an emotional tribute to a family deeply connected to the ballpark.
The Dodgers organization reached out to the Reiner family early in the season, offering support. Jake Reiner later requested that he and his sister be allowed to throw out a first pitch each to honor their parents. A Dodgers spokesperson immediately agreed, stating the team wanted the siblings to have "some joy" in their "happy place."
Rob Reiner, a celebrated filmmaker, had a lifelong affinity for the Dodgers, beginning in his youth and deepening over five decades after moving to Los Angeles. He became a season-ticket holder, frequently threw out first pitches, and passed his passion for baseball to his children.
Jake's own connection to the team was strengthened through the Junior Dodgers Broadcasters program, where he met longtime Dodgers radio announcer Charley Steiner. Steiner, a close friend of both Rob and Michelle Reiner, was tasked with writing and narrating a tribute video for the ceremony.
"The Reiners meant a lot to me," Steiner said, his voice filled with emotion. "Being able to do it was therapeutic and difficult. That’s the best way to describe it. It was hard to do because it hurt, but therapeutic because this is part of the process."
The Dodgers kept the tribute under wraps, with no prior announcement, allowing the moment to unfold organically for the crowd of 46,834. When the tribute video played, the usually boisterous Dodger Stadium fell into a reverent silence.
Jake Reiner took the mound wearing a custom Dodgers jersey with his father's childhood number, 6. Romy followed, wearing number 97, the year of her birth. The siblings threw their pitches separately, allowing each an individual moment before a shared one. Jake delivered a strike to outfielder Alex Call, and Romy threw hers directly to the plate, caught by catcher Miguel Rojas, the hero of the 2025 World Series Game 7.
After their pitches, Jake and Romy embraced on the mound, a poignant full-circle moment. The stadium erupted in cheers and applause.
"That was enormously gratifying," Steiner commented on the crowd's reaction. "It was a beautiful day. It really was."
Jake Reiner later expressed his gratitude on social media, calling the Dodgers a "huge part of our family" and Dodger Stadium a place where he and his father could "talk baseball for hours." He added, "Romy and I wanted to honor our mom and dad by throwing out a ceremonial first pitch for each of them. We’re grateful the Dodgers helped make this moment so special."