Dodgers and fans relish festive World Series parade

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler (21) holds the World Series trophy during the team celebration at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

LOS ANGELES– The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their World Series win on Friday at a rousing victory parade in downtown Los Angeles, basking in festivities they were denied when the team won the 2020 baseball championship during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hoards of fans clad in Dodger blue chanted “Freddie, Freddie” as series Most Valuable Player Freddie Freeman rode atop one of several double decker buses rolling past City Hall.

Freeman hit four home runs during the series, including a dramatic, walk-off grand slam in a Game One win over the New York Yankees, while playing with an injured ankle.

READ: World Series champion Dodgers have eye on back-to-back titles

“I had only one leg, but I had a whole group of guys that had my back all year,” Freeman said at a post-parade bash inside Dodger Stadium.

Japanese slugger Shohei Ohtani carried his brown-and-white dog, Decoy, in an Ohtani jersey. Decoy was a regular at Dodger Stadium during the season and became a fan favorite.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) introduces designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) to speak to fans during the World Series Championship Celebration at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Ohtani made baseball history this year, becoming the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. The superstar often speaks in Japanese in public with a translator at his side, but on Friday he addressed the roaring stadium crowd in English.

“This is so special (a) moment for me,” Ohtani said with a smile. “I’m so honored to be here and to be part of this team.”

READ: Shohei Ohtani reaches World Series mountaintop in first season with Dodgers

Players and fans reveled in the 4-games-to-1 win over the Yankees to secure the Dodger franchise’s eighth title.

Mookie Betts, a former Red Sox who has three World Series rings, teased more to come.

“I’ve got to get at least five or six, right?” he said. “I’m trying to fill this hand up!”

Los Angeles Dodgers buses head towards Dodger Stadium on the 110 freeway overpass on the 110 freeway during the 2024 World Series championship parade in downtown Los Angeles. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Friday’s parade coincided with the birthday of Dodger legend Fernando Valenzuela, the beloved Mexican pitcher who died last month.

Along the parade route, fans spontaneously sang “Happy Birthday” to the late star.

READ: Yankees heartbroken after ‘cruel’ World Series defeat to Dodgers

“A lot of people say Fernando helped us,” said Dodger fan Bobby Trahan. “If it weren’t for Fernando, we wouldn’t have won that last game, so thank you Mr. El Toro.”

Others relished the festive atmosphere on a sunny autumn day, particularly since COVID prevented the 2020 parade.

“There are no words for this,” said lifelong Dodgers fan Hugo Miranda, who attended the team’s last championship parade 36 years ago.

“We’ve been waiting for this since 1988. In 2020 we had a championship, a lot of people didn’t call it a championship, but I think it was.”

The Dodgers won the 2020 title after a truncated, 60-game season, and no parade was held in an effort to stem the spread of COVID.

“I’m so happy we won. It’s great for the whole city,” Trahan said. “Everyone comes together and it’s nothing but a lot of love.”

In addition to Dodgers stars Ohtani, Freeman and Betts, fan Jose Lara said someone else deserved credit for the team’s victory.

“There’s one person I’d like to thank. None of this would have been possible without Aaron Judge,” he said in a jab at the Yankees slugger.

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

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