Grandma Dodger – Elmira Heights native has loved her team for over 70 years

ELMIRA HEIGHTS, N.Y. (WETM) – This week’s National League (NL) Championship Series has much deeper meaning for one local fan.

For over 70 years, Helen of Elmira Heights, has cheered on her beloved Dodgers in baseball. From the early days as child seeing the great Jackie Robinson play to now, this fan is as loyal as it gets. Her loyalty is being rewarded on social media as she’s being called by one distinct name: “Grandma Dodger.”

Since the 1940’s, Helen who’s now 83, hasn’t missed a single game of Dodgers baseball on television. That also includes the teams’ move from Brooklyn to Los Angeles in 1958, which has kept Helen up late on the east coast due to the time zone change for games.

As a child, Helen and her family immigrated from Ukraine in the 1940’s to Ellis Island in New York City. From there, the family found a new home in Elmira Heights and Helen has been here ever since.

Moment after moment, “Grandma Dodger” has seen immortal baseball moments and teams in the Dodger franchise. In all, she’s witnessed seven World Series Championships (1955, 1959, 1963, 1965, 1981, 1988 and 2020) spanning decades with some of the greatest players to ever play the game.

Names like Robinson (who broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947) and fellow Baseball Hall of Famers like pitcher Sandy Koufax (1955-66), Ray Campanella (1948-57) at catcher, shortstop “Pee Wee” Reese (1940-42, 1946-58), managerial great Tommy Lasorda (1977-96), catcher Mike Piazza (1992-98) and more.

With the National League Championship Series tied at one game each with the Mets, Helen is hoping for a storybook weekend. Not only could the Dodgers play their way back into the World Series, but this Saturday is her birthday. And, there would be no better way to celebrate than with another special Dodgers championship.

Game three of the NLCS is Wednesday night at 8:08 pm on Fox. Take a special look and hear from “Grandma Dodger” herself on how this year’s team can get it done and wave that championship towel.

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