The Los Angeles Dodgers, together with Shohei Ohtani and his canine, celebrated their eighth World Series championship with a downtown parade and a raucous on-field social gathering on Friday.
“This is so particular,” stated Ohtani, who normally solely speaks in his native Japanese however addressed a packed Dodger Stadium in English. “I’m so honored to be right here. Congratulations, Los Angeles. Thank you, guys.”
Fellow Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto added in English, “Thank you, Dodger followers.”
Rapper Ice Cube kicked off the bash by performing “It Was a Good Day,” with supervisor Dave Roberts dancing and becoming a member of in on the lyrics from a blue round stage in the course of the sector.
“You guys wished a parade. We acquired a parade,” Roberts stated. “Guys, let’s get able to run this again subsequent 12 months, too.”
Players exchanged hugs and again slaps on the stage as blue-and-white confetti drifted within the air and the group’s signature track, “I Love LA,” blared. Their kids performed on the sector, with Freddie Freeman’s 8-year-old son, Charlie, main a few of them in leaping up on the decrease retaining wall close to the group.
Players took turns passing across the Commissioner’s Trophy.
“Who else has extra championships than us within the 2020s?” requested utilityman Kiké Hernández. “Absolutely no one.”
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Roberts launched Freeman as somebody who “performed with one leg and one rib,” in reference to the primary baseman’s accidents.
“I did every little thing I may to get on the sector for you guys and I’m so glad I did as a result of we acquired a championship now,” Freeman stated. “I can not wait to run this again subsequent 12 months.”
Earlier, seven double-decker buses crammed with gamers, their households and the teaching employees rolled by means of streets packed on either side with blue-clad followers. The Los Angeles Police Department estimated the group to be 150,000.
“This is unimaginable,” stated Freeman, the World Series MVP. “LA actually confirmed out at the moment.”
Several gamers smoked cigars and drank beer aboard the buses on the sun-splashed day.
“It’s the very best factor I’ve ever been a part of,” pitcher Clayton Kershaw stated. “I’ve by no means seen this many individuals in my life. They’re all Dodger followers.”
A shirtless Hernández hung over the entrance of his bus with a beer in his hand. Ohtani held his canine, Decoy, in his arms with his spouse, Mamiko, close by.
“I’m completely overwhelmed with the quantity of followers who’re right here,” Ohtani stated by means of an interpreter because the bus rolled alongside. “It’s been an unimaginable 12 months. I’m so completely satisfied that I used to be capable of contribute. The followers and everyone has been so welcoming.”
Asked if he would take his shirt off like Hernández, a smiling Ohtani shook his head and replied in English, “No, by no means.”
Walker Buehler, who pitched the ninth inning within the Series finale, did a beer bong whereas carrying Orel Hershiser’s jersey from the group’s 1988 World Series championship.
“This is loopy, man. I really like this,” outfielder Teoscar Hernández stated.
Fans cheered and waved at their heroes. The parade occurred on what would have been the sixty fourth birthday of Fernando Valenzuela, the 1981 NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year winner who died days earlier than the World Series started.
The Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in 5 video games, clinching the title with a 7-6 victory within the Bronx on Wednesday.
A portion of the proceeds from the ticketed stadium occasion might be donated to the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.
There had been greater than a dozen arrests throughout casual celebrations after the group’s comeback win to clinch the Series. Burglaries, vandalism and fires occurred in some elements of town.
