For the first time in 36 years, Los Angeles held a championship parade for the Dodgers.
Tens of thousands of fans lined the streets of downtown Los Angeles Friday afternoon to celebrate the franchise’s eighth World Series championship. Thousands more filled Dodger Stadium for a pep rally in center field to cap off the celebration.
The celebration began in the stadium at 8:30 a.m. and the parade wrapped up by noon as the buses carrying the World Series champions made their way to the field.
Dodgers fan and Grammy Award-winning rapper Ice Cube kicked off the celebration with a performance in the stadium.
For many players and manager Dave Roberts, the day was a celebration of both of the Dodgers’ two World Series titles in the last five seasons.
The Dodgers couldn’t celebrate their most recent World Series win in 2020 because it came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Local public health protocols prevented that.
“In 2020, we just didn’t have that opportunity,” Roberts told MLB.com. “This right now, it really put a bow on the season where there was some unfinished business in 2020. This city needed this parade. And we got our parade.”
Pitcher Clayton Kershaw, the longest-tenured Dodgers player who was part of that 2020 championship, got choked up while speaking to the crowd at Dodger Stadium.
“I’ve waited for this day for a long time,” he said. “I’ve waited to celebrate for a long time. I can’t imagine being anywhere else right now and I can’t imagine doing it with a better group of guys than this group right here.”
Fellow 2020 champion Enrique Hernandez brought up his prediction from nearly five years ago in his speech to the crowd.
“2020 FanFest we got asked some really tough questions,” Hernandez said. “I said the 2020 decade is going to be the L.A. Dodger decade and guess what? Who has more championships than us in the 2020s? Absolutely nobody. Absolutely nobody.”
World Series MVP Freddie Freeman thanked the fans for their support during the series and to his family over the last few months.
“Three months ago, when I came back after my son got sick, you guys showed out for my family and I,” he said. “That was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had on a field. I did everything I could to be on this field for you guys and I’m glad I did because we have a championship now.
“I can’t wait to run this back next year.”
Mookie Betts echoed that sentiment.
“We got two (World Series) so far,” Betts said. “We’ve got eight, nine years left. I’ve got to get at least five or six, right? We’re going to do this five or six times, right?”
Shohei Ohtani, the team’s top signing in free agency ahead of the season, spoke to the crowd in English instead of usual native Japanese.
“This is so special,” he said. “I’m so honored to be here. Congratulations, Los Angeles. Thank you, guys.”
Friday’s celebration happened on what would’ve been Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela’s 64th birthday. The team honored the 1981 Cy Young Award winner during the celebration.
“It means more,” Roberts said to MLB.com. “For all of it to come together like this, in that sense, it means more.”
–Field Level Media