Back when I used to work for the San Diego Padres, we used to dread when the Los Angeles Dodgers came to town. Petco Park would turn into Dodger Stadium South. We liked to tell ourselves that it was Dodgers fans coming down from Los Angeles to see a real ballpark, but the reality was that quite a few of those Dodgers fans came from San Diego — particularly from the Latino community.

The Dodgers don’t just have a huge fanbase, they have a huge Latino fan base that covers all of California and beyond. And they have done a wonderful job of marketing to, collaborating with, and promoting those Latino ties.

There’s just one problem: That community is now wondering why the Dodgers seem so hellbent on not speaking up for them.

Identity politics and the Dodgers may not seem like they go hand in hand. But in this current political atmosphere, one has to be aware that any type of corporate outreach to any specific demographic does make you engaged in that identity. Going back to Fernando-mania, the Dodgers used the hype surrounding the late, great Fernando Valenzuela to attract new fans across Mexican communities. Over the past generations, the Dodgers have done everything from “Los Doyers” jerseys to Mexican themed giveaways, mariachi performers, and more.

But here’s the problem the Dodgers should have seen coming. When you specifically market to groups to sell tickets, jerseys, merchandise and to increase TV ratings, you also make yourself an ally to these groups. And if said groups end up being embroiled in politics, then you also risk being dragged into their political fight. That’s what happened when Border Patrol agents arrived at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers said they refused entry to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents when they tried to access the stadium. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said they were

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