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The Dodgers celebrate their World Series victory with a parade and stadium celebration

The Dodgers celebrate their World Series victory with a parade and stadium celebration

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LOS ANGELES – The Dodgers, including Shohei Ohtani and his dog, celebrated their eighth World Series championship with a parade downtown on Friday.

Seven double-decker buses filled with players, their families and coaching staff rolled through streets packed with blue-clad fans on both sides. Los Angeles police estimated the crowd at 150,000.

Jubilant manager Dave Roberts held up the Commissioner's Trophy.

“This is unbelievable,” said World Series MVP Freddie Freeman. “LA really did well today.”

Several players smoked cigars and drank beer on the sunny day.

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever been a part of,” pitcher Clayton Kershaw said. “I have never seen so many people in my life. They’re all Dodger fans.”

A shirtless Kiké Hernández hung over the front of a bus with a beer in his hand. Ohtani – with his wife Mamiko nearby – held his dog Decoy in his arms.

“I'm completely overwhelmed by the amount of fans that are here,” Ohtani said through an interpreter as the bus rolled by. “It was an incredible year. I'm so happy I was able to contribute to this. The fans and everyone were so welcoming.”

Asked if he would take off his shirt like Hernández, a smiling Ohtani shook his head and replied in English: “No, never.”

Walker Buehler, who batted the ninth inning in the World Series finale, smoked a beer bong while wearing Orel Hershiser's jersey from the team's 1988 World Series championship.

“This is crazy, man. I love it,” said outfielder Teoscar Hernandez.

The fans cheered and waved to their heroes. The parade was held to mark the 64th birthday of Fernando Valenzuela, the 1981 National League Cy Young Award winner and Rookie of the Year winner who died a few days before the start of the World Series.

The Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in five games and secured the title with a 7-6 victory in the Bronx on Wednesday.

The parade began at Gloria Molina Grand Park as part of a 45-minute route that culminated at the intersection of 5th and Flower streets. The celebration was scheduled to continue at Dodger Stadium, where thousands of fans waited before the team's arrival and watched the parade on the video boards.

The team said fans would not be able to attend both events due to logistical, traffic and time constraints.

A portion of proceeds from the ticketed stadium event will be donated to the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.

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