Dodgers host championship parade at home after 36 years
Christian Magdaleno
By Christian Magdaleno, Nov. 19, 2024
Thousands of fans flocked to the streets of Downtown Los Angeles to celebrate the Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series Championship win over the New York Yankees Nov. 1. An estimated 250,000 Dodger fans poured into the city to witness the parade and celebrate the team’s eighth championship title and first since 2020.
Fans arrive hours before the parade began, wearing their best Dodgers merchandise to display their Dodger pride. While the parade did not start until 11 a.m., fans lined up along the route early in the morning — starting at City Hall and lasting over a mile to end near Fifth and Figueroa Street.Fans lift each other over the crowd to get a glimpse of the Dodgers in the parade. A fan wears a Fernando Valenzuela jersey at the Nov. 1 parade, which happened to coincide with what would have been his 64th birthday. Valenzuela was a famous Mexican-born Dodgers pitcher who inspired the “Fernandomania” phenomenon and helped the team win their 1981 championship.Another fan climbs on top of portable toilets to spray champagne onto the crowd before the parade began, which encapsulates the excitement of the day.
The Dodgers won in 2020 but were unable to host a parade due to the COVID-19 lockdowns — the last parade was 36 years ago, in 1988. This long-awaited energy was present in the crowd, with fans finding any possible way to celebrate and get a glimpse of the star-studded bus, including climbing traffic lights, sitting on other fans’shoulders and climbing trees.
Attendees climb a traffic light near 2nd Street and Grand Ave to get a unique view over the crowd of fans. The thousands of fans create a sea of white and blue in the streets of Los Angeles.A fan proudly stands on top of a trash can against a portable restroom in front of the Broad Museum.
The Dodgers were transported atop double-decker buses along this route, taking them to Dodger Stadium for a celebration later in the afternoon. Some notable players on this team are Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Clayton Kershaw, Enrique Hernandez and Teoscar Hernández.
Fans reach out to the parade buses while Earvin “Magic” Johnson, part-owner of the Dodgers, waves at fans.Dodgers player Enrique “Kike” Hernandez gestures to fans while celebrating his team’s victory. Hernandez has played in four World Series appearances with the Dodgers.Dodgers General Manager Brandon Gomes raises his fist to the fans while manager Dave Roberts holds the World Series trophy in his arms. Roberts has coached the Dodgers into the postseason nine consecutive times since he started in 2016.Dodgers’ pitchers Landon Knack, Anthony Banda, Evan Phillips, Ben Casparius and Clayton Kershaw celebrate on the bus during the parade Nov. 1. This is lifelong Dodger Kershaw’s second World Series win out of four appearances.Dodgers’ catcher Austin Barnes records Dodgers’ pitchers Brent Honeywell and Walker Buehler spraying fans with beer during the celebration. Buehler pitched the final three outs to close out the World Series in a Game 5 win over the Yankees.
While many fans were unable to attend the celebration at Dodger Stadium, they still took part in this parade. To avoid traffic, many fans opted to use public transit, which became just as packed.
Cal Poly Pomona alumnus Anthony Martinez, a graduate from the business marketing department, detailed his experience going to the parade using the Metrolink system.
“Every other time I have taken the Metrolink, it’s been pretty dead and sometimes not as safe as it could be, but on the day of the parade everyone felt unified,” said Martinez. “It was the safest I have ever felt in Los Angeles. Everyone just felt like a sense of community.”
Los Angeles Police Department officers wear Dodgers hats while patrolling the parade. Chief Michel Moore allowed officers to break uniform to show support during the event.
CPP geography student and lifelong Dodger fan Jason Polanco detailed one of his favorite moments of the season.
“It was a surreal moment in the 10th inning of Game 1 (of the World Series),” said Polanco. “Dodgers were down one run, bases were loaded, they (the Yankees) walk Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman comes out and I am stressed. I was thinking ‘even though we lost, this is the best baseball game I have ever seen.’ Next thing I know, I hear a pop; the ball is in the air. It’s a grand slam, baby. Everyone was happy. Just indescribable.”
Thousands of fans storm the streets, taking the opportunity to walk the same route as the champions who just passed.
