Downtown Los Angeles was transformed into a sea of Dodger blue and white Monday, as thousands of fans from across Southern California filled the streets to get a glimpse of the back-to-back World Series champs.
Crowds at Metro stations and around downtown broke out into spontaneous “Go Dodgers” cheers and chants while fans awaited the team's celebratory parade before a rally at Dodger Stadium, capping off the team's World Series run with a dramatic Game 7 finisher.
Fans lined staircases, scaled streetlights, packed freeway overpasses and crammed into balconies along the parade route, in hopes of a better view of the dynasty-making Dodgers, who secured baseball's most coveted title with a star-studded lineup that hailed from around the globe — similar to the city of immigrants it represents.
Some said they arrived before sunrise to secure prime parade-route seats. Parents joked about cases of the "Dodger flu" allowing their school-age children to join in the historic day. Angelenos from all walks of life danced and cheered as stereos and car speakers blasted Kendrick Lamar, Ice Cube, Nate Dogg and, of course, Randy Newman's "I Love L.A."
“Back-to-back, baby!” a teenager shouted over the chorus of vuvuzelas and music.
The citywide celebration mostly featured good-natured revelry, but the Los Angeles Police Department reported at least one severe injury as officers attempted to clear downtown streets after the parade. It wasn't immediately clear what happened, but the LAPD issued a dispersal order around 1 p.m., blaming the crowd for blocking officers from reaching the injured person.
The agency reported that some rowdy fans had refused to leave, including a DJ who set up and played music to an estimated 700 people. Several others also set off fireworks.
Police also reported that a California Highway Patrol vehicle was surrounded and vandalized by parade participants.
By 2:30 p.m., however, the LAPD reported that the large crowds had mostly left the area and thanked those who supported the Dodgers "in a respectful and peaceful manner."
Tens of thousands of people could be seen packed between downtown's skyscrapers, but the LAPD did not provide an official estimate on the size of the parade crowd. Dodger Stadium, which has the highest capacity in baseball, was packed.
As the team's open-air, double-decker buses hit Temple Street on Monday morning, fans neared hysteria, shouting their favorite players' names and raising their fists in the air.
From one of the buses, pitcher Blake Snell pointed at the crowd while an armada of buzzing aerial drones dodged blasts from confetti cannons. A “Freddie! Freddie!" chant broke out when fans spotted the Dodgers' first baseman, renowned for his World Series heroics.
"This is insane," Freeman said of the parade crowd. "I feel like it’s almost double from last year."
Further down the route, Jane Lee held up a sign for pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who cemented his World Series MVP status in Game 7 when he took the mound to record the final eight outs after starting Game 6. On top of winning MVP of the series, Lee designated him “best pitcher” on her homemade sign, which ended with a word written in Japanese.
“Arigato!” the Monterey Park resident said. Others echoed her shout, and it soon became a raucous chorus of gleeful thank-yous for the Japan native — fully embraced by the city of Angels.
Ken Suzuki, a college student from Japan, brought similar energy to 2nd Street, where he waved a Japanese flag.
“I’ve followed Yamamoto since he played in Japan. It’s so wild to see him dominate on such a big stage,” Suzuki said.
The parade kicked off at 11 a.m. By noon, the team arrived at their stadium, where players and staff thanked fans and commemorated a historic season — and called for another.
“What’s better than two? Three! Three-peat! Three-peat!” Dave Roberts, the Dodgers' manager, shouted to the roaring crowd.
All day, Dodgers fans couldn't shake off their glee.
In knee-high Dodgers socks along the parade route, Mark Krojansky waxed poetic over the fact that his kids had already experienced three Dodger championships. He'd had to wait three decades between the 1988 win and 2020 — but said it was well worth it.
“This could be the only time for many, many years, you never know,” Krojansky said. “We deserve it.”
The 2025 Dodgers team has been a bright spot during an otherwise tumultuous year for the region, after wind-driven firestorms devastated thousands of homes in January and then widespread immigration sweeps began over the summer by the Trump administration, specifically targeting Los Angeles.
Carlos Soto, a San Bernardino resident, said the parade was a much-needed respite after the challenging year.
"I definitely feel the city needs a lift," Soto said. "It is something that brings the community together across nationalities and political lines and unites everybody — it's something that's very needed."
Chuck Berez, a decades-long Dodgers fan from L.A., was walking toward the parade route Monday morning and said the love from the organization and its fans embodied the city itself.
“They stick together. … You got to weather the storm and look at the big picture,” Berez said. “The way they came through in the clutch, you know, just showing you their resilience and their experience.”
Los Angeles transplant Aaron Wole, a hospital worker originally from Florida, felt that spirit these last few weeks. Despite being a lifelong Rays fan, he donned an Ohtani jersey Monday morning at the parade.
“When in Rome, you got to do as the Romans.… This doesn’t happen much in Florida,” Wole said. “In moments like these, you feel included in the community. It really feels like a great atmosphere with all these fans.”
Times staff writer Jack Harris contributed to this report.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
