Shohei Ohtani brings his dog and addresses the crowd in English as the Dodgers celebrate their World Series title.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers, including Shohei Ohtani and his dog, celebrated their eighth World Series championship with a parade downtown and a raucous party on the field Friday.

“This is something special,” said Ohtani, who usually speaks only his native Japanese in public but addressed the crowd of 42,458 at Dodger Stadium in English. “I’m honored to be here. Congratulations, Los Angeles. Thanks guys.”

His Japanese counterpart, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, added in English: “Thank you, Dodger fans.”

Rapper Ice Cube kicked off the party by performing “It Was a Good Day” while manager Dave Roberts danced and joined in with the song’s lyrics on the blue circular stage at center field.

“Guys, you wanted a parade. We’re having a parade,” Roberts said. “Guys, let’s get ready to launch this project next year.”

The players exchanged hugs and slaps on stage, blue and white confetti flew in the air and the team’s signature song “I Love LA” was played. Their children played on the field, and Freddie Freeman’s eight-year-old son, Charlie, led some of them in jumping jacks on the lower retaining wall near the crowd.

The players took turns handing out the Commissioner’s Cup.

“Who has more championships than us in the 2020s?” asked utility worker Quique Hernandez. “Absolutely no one.”

Roberts introduced Freeman as a man who “played with one leg and one rib,” referring to the first baseman’s injuries.

“I did everything I could to come out on the field for you guys, and I’m so glad I did because now we have a championship,” Freeman said. “I can’t wait to do it again next year.”

Earlier, seven double-decker buses carrying players, their families and coaching staff passed through streets filled on both sides with fans in blue uniforms. The Los Angeles Police Department estimated the crowd at 150,000.

“It’s incredible,” said Freeman, the World Series MVP. “Los Angeles really showed up today.”

On a sunny day, several players smoked cigars and drank beer on the buses.

“This is the best thing I’ve ever been a part of,” pitcher Clayton Kershaw said. “I have never seen so many people in my life. They’re all Dodger fans.”

Hernandez, shirtless, hung over the front of the bus with a beer in his hand. Ohtani held his dog Dekoya in his arms, and his wife Mamiko Tanaka was nearby.

“I’m just amazed at the number of fans here,” Ohtani said through a translator as the bus drove by. “It’s been an incredible year. I’m so glad I was able to contribute.”

Asked if he would take off his shirt like Hernandez, a smiling Ohtani shook his head and replied in English: “No, never.”

Walker Buehler, who pitched the ninth inning in the series finale, lit a beer while wearing an Orel Hershiser jersey from the 1988 World Series championship.

“This is crazy, man. I love it,” outfielder Teoscar Hernandez said.

The fans applauded and waved to the players. The parade took place on what would have been the 64th birthday of Fernando Valenzuela, the 1981 Cy Young Award winner and Rookie of the Year winner who died days before the start of the World Series.

The Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in five games to win the title with a 7-6 victory in the Bronx on Wednesday.

A portion of proceeds from ticket sales for the stadium event will be donated to the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.

More than a dozen arrests were made during the informal celebrations following the team’s Series victory. Some parts of the city experienced burglaries, vandalism and fires.

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