Dodgers World Series parade celebrates champions on Fernando Valenzuela’s birthday
LOS ANGELES - Fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers descended on downtown Los Angeles and Elysian Park to celebrate the 2024 World Series champions and the life and legacy of Fernando Valenzuela on Friday. The World Series victory parade fell on what would have been Valenzuela's 64th birthday.
In the latest Fall Classic, the Boys in Blue defeated the New York Yankees in a five-game series.
The champions loaded onto double-decker buses to celebrate the monumental occasion. Since the Dodgers were unable to hold a parade when they won the Fall Classic in 2020, this marked the Dodgers' first championship parade since 1988.
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"We’ve been waiting for this for quite a while. We didn’t have a celebration in 2020 and now is the time to make up for it," a fan told Good Day LA’s Mario Ramirez in the hours ahead of the parade.
Some adoring fans opted to avoid the morning rush hour and arrived hours ahead of the parade to secure primary seating.
"We’re loyal Dodger fans," said a fan who made the trip all the way from Stockton.
"We bleed blue and we deserve this," another fan added.
Even before sunrise, hardcore fans enthusiastically shared this passion for their team.
"I’m so excited. I’ve been a Dodger fan my whole life. My parents met at Dodger Stadium… since my kids were babies they’ve been going to Dodger Stadium," one fan said. "We will die Dodger fans."
Dodger Stadium Speeches
After completing the parade route, the Boys in Blue went to Dodger Stadium to celebrate with fans on their home turf.
Freddie Freeman: ‘I can’t wait to run it back'
"I got a whole group of guys that had my back all year. What a special group. I don’t have the same personality as Kiké," the World Series MVP said. "He shut it down, but from the bottom of my heart…" Freeman said as the crowd erupted with "MVP" chants.
"When I came back after my son got sick, you guys showed out for my family and I. That was one of the greatest experiences I had on the field. I was so touched and I did everything I did to get on the field for you guys, and I’m glad I did because we got a championship now," Freeman said. "I can’t wait to run it back this year. Let’s go Dodgers!"
Shohei Ohtani: ‘This is such a special moment for me’
One of the most heartwarming moments of the celebration came when Shohei Ohtani spoke in front of his teammates and thousands of fans without the help of a translator.
"This is such a special moment for me," Ohtani said. "I'm just so honored to be here and to be part of this team. Congratulations, Los Angeles! Thank you, fans!"
The crowd erupted with cheers following the sweet moment.
Dave Roberts: ‘Let’s get ready to run this thing back next year'
"One thing I know guys, they not like us!" Dave Roberts exclaimed. "You guys wanted a parade, we got a parade! Thank you guys!"
"Guys, let’s get ready to run this thing back next year too."
Kiké Hernández: ‘They not like us, baby!’
"I said the 2020 decade was gonna be a Dodger decade," Kiké Hernández said. "We wanted a parade..and we got a parade! I love you LA, I love everybody. And like [Dave Robers] said, they not like us. baby!"
Mookie Betts: ‘Y’all don't know how much you mean to me'
"When I became a Dodger, it was for 12 or 13 years. It was a lot of years and we got two so far," Mookie Betts said at Dodger Stadium on Friday.
"I just want to thank each and every one of y’all for coming out and for supporting us. And to my teammates, y’all don’t know how much you mean to me. I love you guys," Betts added.
Teoscar Hernández: ‘You guys are making dreams come true’
Teoscar Hernández emotional over World Series win
"I played this game to win. The Dodgers gave me the opportunity to come here so I can help this organization, this team, these people win a championship. You guys made this dream come true. Thank you for making me a world champion," Teoscar Hernández emotionally said.
"I just want to say thank you," Teoscar Henández said, overcome with emotions, as tears streamed down his face.
"I play this game to win, and the Dodgers gave me the opportunity to come here so I could help this organization, this city, this team, these people win a championship. You guys [are] making dreams come true. Thank you for making me a champion. Thank you," Teoscar Hernández added.
Clayton Kershaw
"I’ve waited for this day for a long time. I’ve waited to celebrate for a long time. I can’t imagine being anywhere else right now, and I can’t imagine doing it with a better group than these guys right here," Clayton Kershaw said.
Although he was unable to pitch in the Fall Classic due to a toe injury, he kept a grateful heart.
"I didn’t have anything to do with this championship, but it feels like the best feeling in the world," Kershaw said. "I love you guys. Thank you. Dodgers for life!"
Blake Treinen: ‘This is the best feeling I’ve had on a baseball field’
"I’ll be honest. This is the best feeling I’ve had on a baseball field," Blake Treinen said as he addressed fans.
"I’m ain’t much of a talker. I like to lead by actions. Everything we have is by all of our hard work…these guys earned every bit of it," he said.