Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hold the Commissioner’s Trophy during the Dodgers victory parade Nov. 3 through downtown. The Dodgers came from behind to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays Nov. 1 to win their second consecutive World Series.
Photo by Viola Gray
Wave Wire Services
LOS ANGELES — A big blue mass of joyous Dodgers fans lined the streets of downtown Los Angeles Nov. 3 and later filled Dodger Stadium to celebrate the team’s World Series victory.
More than 200,000 people attended last year’s World Series parade, and officials predicted even more this year. Thousand of people lined up early in the morning to secure good viewing spots as streets were closed to traffic around the parade route.
The parade began shortly after 11 a.m. at Temple Street and Broadway, then continued west on Temple Street, south on Grand Avenue, west on Seventh Street, and north on Figueroa Street, ending at Fifth Street at about noon as the procession headed off to Dodger Stadium for a separate, ticketed celebration.
Team members, relatives and other Dodger employees traveled atop double-decker buses, waving to adoring fans as they were showered with confetti and screams of appreciation.
The procession then arrived at Dodger Stadium for a celebration that began shortly after 12:15 p.m. Players walked across a blue carpet as confetti rained down on them and the song “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar played in the background. Thousands of fans sang along and cheered on their beloved champions.
In a surprise appearance, Ice Cube entered the field on a Dodger blue vehicle, joined the team on stage and delivered to them their second straight Commissioner’s Trophy.
“Y’all give it up for the back-to-back World Series champion Dodgers. Give it up!” Ice Cube said as the crowd went wild. “And Dave Roberts, the coaching staff, they managed their a– off, and we got number two, baby!”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts thanked the fans for their support, and gave them a message.
“A word stuck out really to me after we won Game 7, the word mirror,” Roberts said. “And the reason I bring this up is because every time we take the field, our players look in the mirror and what we see is you guys.
“We see toughness, see passion and see perseverance.
“Yeah, we like good weather, too. I’ll tell you right now, this group of guys right now was never going to be denied to bring this city another championship,” Roberts added.
Miguel Rojas, whose ninth-inning solo homer tied Game 7, which led to Will Smith’s 11th-inning solo homer and the Dodgers first lead of the game, emphasized the importance of teamwork and connecting plays.
“It’s not about me. It’s about everybody in this organization doing what they need to do when their name is called right up,” Rojas said.
Several Dodgers got an opportunity to address the fans.
“Standing here, you know, playing the most games in October for this franchise, for this really big team that has a lot of really big rings, it’s a true honor,” Kike Hernandez said. “I love you guys from the bottom of my heart. This past decade for me has been amazing.”
Dodgers stars Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani shared their gratitude with fans.
“You guys are the greatest fans in the world. I’m ready to get another ring next year,” Ohtani said in English.
The Dodgers saved the “best for last,” giving Clayton Kershaw the final remarks of the event. The team’s longtime pitching star had previously announced his retirement from Major League Baseball at the end of the 2025 season.
“Thank you for 18 years. Thank you for showing up and watching us play the last 18 years,” Kershaw said with tears in his eyes.
“I will remember it for the rest of my life,” he added. “I’m so thankful for all of you, and I know they’re gonna get one more next year, and I’m gonna watch just like all of you.”
Due to logistics, traffic and timing, fans were not able to attend both the parade and the stadium celebration, but the parade was shown on DodgerVision inside the stadium.
Tickets for the stadium celebration were sold out by Sunday night, according to the Dodgers.
Police reported a few incidents after the parade concluded, when some in the crowd refused to disperse. Officer Drake Madison of the LAPD’s Media Relations Division said two people were arrested, one for alleged battery on a police officer and one for allegedly being drunk in public, and one citation was issued for sales of alcohol without a permit.
