L.A. takes to the streets with fireworks, joy as Dodgers win World Series
Ecstatic fans took to the streets of Los Angeles in an explosive expression of joy Wednesday night after the Dodgers won the franchise’s eighth World Series title.
They became the first Major League Baseball team to win a World Series-clinching game when trailing by five runs, coming back to beat the New York Yankees 7-6 in Game 5.
Fans flooded the streets near L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles and on Whittier Boulevard in East L.A., dancing, setting off fireworks and chanting. Neighbors banged pots and pans on their porches while a chorus of fireworks, cheers and sirens rang out in Highland Park. And in Little Tokyo, fans gathered near the Shohei Ohtani mural to celebrate the beloved player who this year became the first in history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season.
The Los Angeles Police Department reported that several stores near 8th Street and Broadway appear to have been burglarized, but no details were available. There were scattered reports of vandalism in the area.
The sheer display of fireworks across the city rivaled the Fourth of July, while Los Angeles City Hall and the “D” on the Hollywood sign were lighted up in Dodger blue to celebrate the win.
Authorities had closed off some streets in East L.A. and downtown in hopes of preventing some of the more intense celebrations that occurred when the Dodgers won in 2020.
Nevertheless, fan energy could not be contained.
In East Los Angeles, the fireworks began to blast the moment Walker Buehler struck out Alex Verdugo to win the Series. People poured out of their houses and headed toward Whittier Boulevard, the Eastside’s historical corridor.
“This is so incredible!” screamed Boyle Heights resident Jessica Gutierrez, 33. “We’ve waited so long for this, and you just have to be with all your fellow Dodger fans.”
The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol had blocked off the intersection of Whittier and Atlantic boulevards in an effort to stymie cruising, but to no avail — cars merely did a U-turn on Hillview Avenue.
Near Hoefner Avenue in front of the Commerce Center, fans stood in the middle of Whittier Boulevard to record the passing parade. Although it was too crowded to do full spinouts, cars still spun their tires to burn rubber, to the cheer of crowds.
The Dodgers defeated the Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series to capture the eighth title in franchise history and second championship in five seasons.
“Oh, my God, that was the craziest game I’ve ever seen,” one fan told KCAL News at a watch party in downtown L.A. “We are back on top after 2020, and we finally get our parade!”
The Dodgers parade set for Friday will be the first in 36 years, after hopes of a 2020 communal celebration were stymied by the COVID-19 lockdown.
“Tonight, we showed the world that Los Angeles is made of CHAMPIONS,” L.A. Mayor Karen Bass wrote in a statement on X. “Congratulations to the Dodgers on tonight’s win. Looking forward to seeing you back in LA!”
After falling behind 5-0 after three innings Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium, the team staged a stunning five-run comeback in the fifth. After falling behind again, they rallied again in the eighth.
“It was nerve-racking! I was so nervous, but we kept our faith, and fortunately things went our way,” one fan told KCAL News at a watch party in Pasadena. “I’m just glad and excited we won.”
City News Service contributed to this article
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