Play based on Marichal & Roseboro opens here tonight

It was back in 2009 that we first told you about Roger Guenveur Smith's one-man show, then in New York, that traces its roots to the summer day in 1965 when San Francisco Giants pitcher Juan Marichal conked Dodgers catcher John Roseboro's head with a bat. Marichal, a Hall of Famer who beat the Dodgers with regularity in that era, became the ultimate sports villain for the 10-year-old Smith and many other young Dodgers fans. (Ahem.) "Juan and John" opens tonight at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Smith also is featurized by Scott Timberg in today's L.A. Times.

In case you forgot: The Giant and the Dodger made up and became friends. Roseboro campaigned for Marichal to make the Hall of Fame. Marichal spoke at Roseboro's funeral in 2002. There's a statue to Marichal outside the Giants' stadium, but he finished his career with a very brief stay on the Dodgers in 1975.

After the jump: Marichal in conversation with Bob Costas.