LOS ANGELES – An estimated 250,000 people wearing Dodger blue gathered in downtown Los Angeles on Friday for two World Series worth of celebrations.
On Wednesday, everyone was excited about the Dodgers’ victory over the Yankees in the Fall Classic, which ended with a historic come-from-behind victory in Game 5 at Yankee Stadium. But when the COVID-19 pandemic prevented Los Angeles from celebrating together in a proper way, it also had a lot of pent-up energy from the 2020 championship game against the Rays. Ta.
The event drew fans from all over the Southland to the Dodgers’ first World Series parade since 1988. Before the sun rose, participants were already gathering at Gloria Molina Grand Park for a pre-parade rally. Others lined the sidewalks and City Hall balconies as double-decker buses carrying players, coaches, team officials and their families began a 1.2-mile parade route, the biggest ticketed event at Dodger Stadium. The high tide has been reached.
The World Series trophy was raised. The crowd praised World Series MVP Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani’s dog, Decoy, who rode with him. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also appeared, leading a cheer of “Let’s Go Dodgers” and calling for peaceful celebration.
“Look at it. It’s unbelievable,” Clayton Kershaw said. “I’ve never experienced anything like this before, so it makes it all worth it.”
Friday was about the current team, but it was also an opportunity to commemorate everything that has come before. Monrovia’s Ralph Lopez remembers watching Sandy Koufax dominate on the mound. Bobby Trahan of Hollywood grew up admiring Dusty Baker. And of course, countless fans owe their passion for Dodgers baseball to Fernando Valenzuela and Fernandomania.
The celebration featured several songs, “Happy Birthday,” in honor of Valenzuela, who turns 64 on Friday. The legendary left-hander passed away on October 22, three days before the start of the World Series.
Elvira Casas and her mother, Margarita Carrillo, a business major, remember hearing Jaime Jarrin call out Valenzuela’s 1981 Opening Day start on the radio. Friday marked the first Dodgers parade for both players, as their plans to join the Dodgers in 1988 changed due to life circumstances.
“At the time, we were like, ‘Okay, we’ll do it again next year, we’ll do it again in a heartbeat,'” Casas said. “Then the next year came, and the next year came, and then there was 10 years, and then there was two years, and then three years. And then 2020, I couldn’t come. So (my mother) Yesterday, he sent me an email saying, “So, are you going? Or what are you going to do?” …I called them right away and they arrived. we are very excited. ”
Love for the Dodgers is often a family affair. But for many, it’s also a way to build community. Stephanie Torres, who attended the parade with two friends, pointed to the Dodgers’ historic night as a meaningful way for the team to bring people together.
“I’m half Mexican and half Salvadoran, so I love going to places like that,” Torres said. “The sweatshirts we get are always so nice. … We get to see the community and people come together.”
For Matt Gilson, Amy Pilcher, and Daniel Brim, the community they formed was more virtual. Although all three lived in the Los Angeles suburbs, they met through the Dodgers fan blog Dodger Digest, and over the course of more than a decade, they interacted there and on social media before finally having the opportunity to enjoy a parade together. (The author previously wrote for Dodgers Digest.)
“It’s heaven,” Gilson said.
“I can’t believe we finally did it,” Pilcher said.
Brim, from Santa Barbara, was pondering whether the trek was worth it. It turns out that was the case.
“It’s also a really special experience to be surrounded by people who have the same or similar ties to the team and the city,” Brim said.
It’s not just what’s happening on the field. Montebello’s Jose Lara, nicknamed “Bluebeard” (yes, for his beard dyed Dodger blue), is inspired by the off-field philanthropy of his all-time favorite Dodger, Justin Turner.
“(Turner) has a slot to donate blood at Children’s Hospital (Los Angeles),” Lara said. “Three weeks ago I reached my goal of donating one gallon of blood. I go to donate blood every two months and it’s all because of Justin.”
Those who gathered Friday came from all walks of life. They all have special relationships and cherished memories with the Dodgers. But all of them shared the joy they got from watching their favorite team win it all, and were ultimately able to realize that they needed that moment.
“It means everything,” Trahan said. “Look at the people. We’re all here together. We’ve got all these people here and we’re fine. We’re all just having fun, we’re just loving. Love. It’s nothing short of beautiful. Los Angeles needs this.”
