Over 250,000 people showed up to the Dodgers parade Monday morning to see their city’s heroes as they rolled past adoring crowds in their victory buses.
A few fans in the front were blessed with recognition from the team as the new California folk heroes celebrated with fans.
“They looked right at me and pointed,” shouted a fan.
For those in the back not lucky enough, or early enough, to be graced by a face-to-face encounter with the mighty Dodgers, the parade was about being in community with other Dodger fans.
Josh Schneider, Jada Garret and Josiah Garret drove two hours from San Diego to be at the parade.
“It was great, waving to all the boys,” Josiah said. “We’re doing it again next year too.”
The “Doyers” have a close relationship with the Mexican American and Latine community in Los Angeles. The tragedy of the Chavez Ravine – the site of Dodgers Stadium – and the triumph of Fernando Valenzuela, an immigrant to Los Angeles who revolutionized the game, are just a few of the complicated ways the team has a deep connection to immigrant communities, according to an article in Smithsonian Magazine.
This year’s epic win by the Dodgers tested the endurance of the players and fans alike. The World Series Game 3 lasted a grueling six hours, 39 minutes, according to MLB’s website. Game 4 was a frightening loss to the Blue Jays.
The Dodgers rallied in Game 7, after almost losing it all in the 8th inning, pulling it back from the brink with a game-winning home run from Will Smith and a final score of 5-4.
The rabid celebration of the Game 7 win was replaced by the steadfast fandom of generations, with families flying the Dodger banner together in Los Angeles on Monday. Fans ranging from children to grandparents walked proudly in the streets of LA. People poured into the city to show their support because no true fan wanted to be left out of the celebration.
Lester Fierro works night shifts; the parade was the first time he was able to come out and celebrate.
Dodger fans are dedicated to their team, and this year’s back-to-back championship was its own reward. Although they did not get to fist bump baseball legends, late comers and people in the back of the massive crowd wore their jersey and celebrated throughout downtown Los Angeles hours after the parade was over.
The parade was not just about the players. It was for, and about, the fans who are reflected in the multicultural roster of the Dodgers. Mookie Betts, a four-time World Series Champion, talked about the parade, the fans and the experience in an interview on Dodger Nation.
“It’s amazing, just this time last year we did the same thing,” Betts said. “I love being a Dodger.”
