The City of Angels witnessed citywide festivities after the Dodgers clinched a thrilling seven-match World Series title. Supporters across the globe joined local residents in jubilation, marking the initial time in 25 years that a franchise has secured back-to-back championships.
Los Angeles area celebrations included a downtown parade on Monday morning, a ticketed rally at Dodger Stadium, and impromptu gatherings throughout the city.
Social media videos depict countless of Angelenos packing downtown streets, many displaying handmade banners and team flags. The squad was seen riding high on a open-top bus through the masses, hoisting the championship trophy proudly.
“I’m already thinking about the next championship we’re going to achieve this,” the star player remarked through an translator.
The procession path concluded at the stadium, where the players walked out to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” with DJ Mustard spinning music and Ice Cube driving a Pacific blue classic car around the stadium’s outfield.
Celebrations started well before the parade, with supporters lighting fireworks in the roads of Downtown Los Angeles on the previous evening.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, awarded the MVP of the championship, spoke directly about the victory.
“We refuse to lose,” he stated. “I love the Dodgers. This city means everything to me.”
However, the team owner received a cooler reception at the celebration. Video footage from the gathering appear to show him walking onstage to a combination of applause and boos, with jeers interrupting his speech.
The championship served as a bright spot in what has been a trying year for the city. An estimated 225,000 people attended to the Dodgers’ victory parade last year, and according to team member one athlete, fans this year demonstrated as much if not more enthusiasm.
“It seems it’s almost double from last year,” Freeman said. “The supporters are incredible. It’s truly amazing to be a part of this.”