Before 2024, the Dodgers’ most recent World Series title was in 2020. However, players and fans didn’t get one key component of a championship because of COVID-19 restrictions: a parade.
An estimated 225,000 people showed up in downtown Los Angeles on Friday for the Dodgers parade that began at City Hall.
The parade brought people from all over California.
Daisy Beltran, 33, of Burbank, secured her spot on West 2nd and Grand Avenue at 5 a.m. that morning.
“We’ve been to many Rose Bowls and it’s a tradition to get here at the crack of dawn, otherwise you’re not gonna get a spot,” Beltran said.
Beltran came with chairs, snacks and her family of about 40 people.
“We’ve been Dodger fans since the day we were born,” Beltran said. “We’ve watched a lot of upsets over the last few years. It feels good that we finally won.”
The parade was filled with people of all ages: From babies to grandmothers the city donned Dodger blue from head to toe.
The parade brought out the best side of LA fans, in the streets and on the Metro. Trains were packed, but Dodgers fans were respectful, and they constantly cheered, “Let’s go Dodgers” whenever they could.
Like a tailgate, the parade consisted of people playing music, fans throwing a football from side to side, and contagious happiness.
Dodger blue was worn everywhere, except for one guy. He had on a Dallas Mavericks Jersey.
Dodgers fans joked with him and tried to convince him to buy him a Dodgers shirt from one of the vendors.
Fans started lining up for the parade as early as 5 a.m., six hours before the event started. Earning a glimpse of the World Series Champion Dodgers took time and dedication.
Fans made remarks and chants about the San Diego Padres and New York Yankees, two teams the Dodgers eliminated en route to the title.
Fans created homemade signs, including one that read “Thank you, Fat Joe,” a subtle jab to his pre-game performance in Game 3 of the World Series that received heavy backlash, “cursing” the Yankees.
The team started the parade about 30 minutes late due to standstill traffic in Los Angeles — a very LA scenario — but fans didn’t complain.
To pass the time, students from the Colburn School of Music came out to a balcony right above the parade, and started playing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”
Spirits were high, and about 35 minutes later, the Dodgers started to make their way down Grand Avenue. Fans roared for everyone, but especially for the MVP, Freddie Freeman.
The first bus that pulled up featured Dodgers co-owner and Lakers legend Magic Johnson standing at the front. Next was manager Dave Roberts with the World Series trophy to get fans excited followed by buses of players and their families who were waving and spraying beer at fans.
If you were to ask any fan, “Was it worth waiting hours to see them?”
They’ll all say yes.