L.A. Dodgers celebrate World Series win with parade

The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their eighth World Series championship with a downtown parade and a lively on-field party. The team, including Shohei Ohtani and his dog, Decoy, were in high spirits as they were cheered on by a crowd of 42,458 at Dodger Stadium.

Ohtani, who typically speaks in Japanese, addressed the crowd in English, expressing his gratitude and honour to be a part of the celebration. Fellow Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto also thanked the Dodger fans in English, adding to the festive atmosphere.

The festivities kicked off with rapper Ice Cube performing “It Was a Good Day” as manager Dave Roberts danced and sang along on a blue circular stage in the middle of the field. Roberts rallied the team, promising to “run this back next year” as players embraced and exchanged congratulations on stage.

The celebration continued with players passing around the Commissioner’s Trophy, with utilityman Kike Hernandez proudly declaring the Dodgers as the team with the most championships in the 2020s. Freeman, the World Series MVP, was praised by Roberts for his determination to play through injuries and contribute to the championship win.

Earlier in the day, seven double-decker buses filled with players, their families, and coaching staff paraded through streets packed with blue-clad fans. The Los Angeles Police Department estimated the crowd at over 200,000, showcasing the city’s support for the victorious team.

The parade coincided with what would have been the 64th birthday of Fernando Valenzuela, a beloved Dodgers player who passed away shortly before the World Series began. The Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in five games, securing the championship title with a thrilling 7-6 victory in the Bronx.

Despite the joyous celebration, there were some incidents of unrest in the city following the team’s win, with arrests made for burglaries, vandalism, and fires. In an effort to give back to the community, a portion of the proceeds from the ticketed stadium event will be donated to the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.

Overall, the Dodgers’ championship parade and on-field party were a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication throughout the season. As the players basked in the glory of their victory, they expressed gratitude to the fans and looked forward to defending their title in the upcoming season.