Los Angeles Explodes in Celebration as Dodgers Claim Second World Series Championship
Los Angeles witnessed widespread festivities after the Dodgers won a nail-biting seven-match World Series championship. Supporters across the globe joined Angelenos in celebration, marking the first time in a quarter-century that a team has secured consecutive championships.
Celebration Parade Attracts Enormous Crowds
Los Angeles area events featured a procession through the city center on Monday morning, a reserved-seating event at the team's home stadium, and spontaneous parties across the city.
Social media videos show countless of Los Angeles residents flooding downtown streets, many displaying handmade banners and Dodger flags. The team was seen riding high on a double-decker bus through the crowds, raising the Commissioner’s trophy high.
“I’m already thinking about the third time we’re going to do this,” the star player remarked through an interpreter.
The procession path ended at the stadium, where the team emerged to the rapper’s “Not Like Us,” with DJ Mustard providing music and Ice Cube driving a Pacific blue classic car around the stadium’s outfield.
Pre-Parade Festivities and Player Reactions
Celebrations began prior to the procession, with Dodgers fans lighting fireworks in the roads of Downtown Los Angeles on the previous evening.
The World Series MVP, awarded the World Series’ Most Valuable Player, spoke plainly about the victory.
“We refuse to lose,” he said. “I adore this team. This city means everything to me.”
Mixed Reactions and City Unity
However, Mark Walter was met with a less warm welcome at the celebration. Video footage from the gathering seem to depict him walking onstage to a combination of cheers and jeers, with jeers punctuating his speech.
The championship acted as a positive moment in what has been a trying year for the city. An approximate quarter-million people showed up to the Dodgers’ victory parade last year, and according to Dodgers player Freddie Freeman, fans this year demonstrated as much if not more support.
“It seems it’s nearly twice from last year,” he said. “The supporters are incredible. It’s so awesome to be a part of this.”