Hollywood ending for Dodgers fans

MANILA, Philippines — Tens of thousands of Los Angeles Dodgers fans celebrated a World Series title with a parade on Friday, the first time since 1988 they could offer such a salute to the squad.

The Dodgers won their eighth Major League Baseball crown, and second in five seasons, on Wednesday by defeating the New York Yankees on the road to capture the best-of-seven final four games to one.

It marked their first championship since 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic prevented a parade to commemorate the feat that year.

For the first time in 36 years, the Dodgers were able to celebrate with fans in a downtown Los Angeles parade as well as a special gathering at Dodger Stadium.

“I’m totally overwhelmed with the amount of fans that are here,” Japanese slugger Shohei Ohtani said through a translator. “It’s incredible.”

“It has been an incredible year. I was so happy I was able to contribute. The fans, and everybody, have been so welcoming.”

Cheering fans showed their love for players who were in a caravan on double-decker buses.

“This is incredible. LA really showed out,” said Freddie Freeman, the World Series MVP.