Dodgers celebrate highly anticipated World Series parade

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their World Series victory Friday in a rousing victory parade in downtown Los Angeles, enjoying the celebration they were denied when the team won the 2020 baseball championship during the COVID-19 pandemic. 19.

Crowds of fans dressed in Dodger blue uniforms chanted “Freddie, Freddie” as series MVP Freddie Freeman rode one of several double-decker buses that passed City Hall.

“It’s incredible,” Freeman said. “Los Angeles really showed up today. I think it made up for 2020.”

Japanese slugger Shohei Ohtani carried his brown and white dog Dekoi while wearing an Ohtani jersey. Decoy was a fixture at Dodger Stadium throughout the season and became a fan favorite.

Players and fans enjoyed the team’s 4-1 victory over the New York Yankees, which secured the team’s eighth title.

“There are no words for this,” said longtime Dodgers fan Hugo Mirandajo, who attended the team’s last championship parade in 1988.

“As you can see, we have so many fans here today. We have been waiting for this since 1988. In 2020 we had a championship, many didn’t call it a championship, but I think it was. “

The Dodgers won the title four years ago after a shortened 60-game season, and no parade was held in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus.

“I’m so glad we won. It’s great for the whole city,” said Dodgers fan Bobby Trahan.

“Everyone comes together and it’s nothing short of great love.”

Besides Dodgers stars Ohtani, Freeman and three-time champion Mookie Betts, fan Jose Lara said someone else deserves credit for the team’s victory.

“There is one person I would like to thank. None of this would have been possible without Aaron Judge,” he said of the Yankees slugger.

Judge struggled at the plate early in the series and made a critical error in Game 5 that opened the door for the Dodgers’ epic comeback to win the title.

“Thank you, Aaron,” Lara said with a smile.

The crowd suddenly erupted into a rendition of “Happy Birthday” to Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela, the beloved Mexican pitcher who was born Nov. 1 and died last month.

“A lot of people say Fernando helped us,” Dodger fan Bobby Trahan said.

“If it wasn’t for Fernando, we wouldn’t have won that last game, so thank you, Mr. El Toro.”

Trahan said the team’s win only made him hungry for more.

“It’s really great and we want another one next year. I think we can do it again,” he said.

“I want to go back.” REUTERS