Dodgers World Series parade: Clayton Kershaw declares himself ‘Dodger for life’ and player option looms
The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their World Series title with a championship parade on Friday, and no one was happier than a pitcher who couldn’t throw an inning in the playoffs.
After sitting out the entire 2024 postseason due to a bone spur in his left big toe, Clayton Kershaw and his teammates enjoyed a parade through downtown Los Angeles. It took a long time for the 17-year MLB veteran to be unable to enjoy such a celebration after his first title with the team in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kershaw made the most of the moment after the team arrived for an event at Dodger Stadium. Once he grabbed the microphone, it didn’t take long for him to loudly show off his happiness.
Kershaw’s full speech:
“I’ve waited a long time for this day. I’ve waited a long time to celebrate it. I can’t imagine being anywhere else right now, and I can’t imagine doing it with a better group of guys than I have no words for this group, but I had nothing to do with this championship, but it feels like the best feeling in the world that I get to celebrate with you, two-time champions and much more to come.
“Love you guys, thank you! Dodger for life!”
Those last words are extremely interesting considering Kershaw has a player option on his contract for next season. Kershaw has never played for any organization other than the Dodgers, who drafted him seventh overall in 2006, but his recent forays into free agency have presented the possibility of an exit. His hometown Texas Rangers long loomed as a possibility, especially after they started spending big money on veteran starting pitchers.
However, it now appears that Kershaw has no plans to play elsewhere. He told reporters after the event, confirming that he plans to exercise his 2025 option. He also revealed that he will undergo offseason surgeries on both his left toe and left knee, with his timeline for return unclear.
Clayton Kershaw said he will undergo surgery on his toe and left knee on Wednesday. But reiterated that he will be back with the Dodgers next season.
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) November 1, 2024
Clayton Kershaw will undergo two surgeries on Wednesday, he said.
First, to address his toe, there is more damage than the bone spurs, including a torn plantar plate.
The second, to repair the meniscus in his left knee.
Timeline to be determined.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) November 1, 2024
Although Kershaw said he had nothing to do with this championship, he did make seven starts in 2024 with a 4.50 ERA after starting the season late due to shoulder surgery in 2023. More than half of the earned runs Kershaw allowed came within his last two starts as pain in his toe worsened.
There were many more fun moments Friday, from Shohei Ohtani addressing the Dodger Stadium crowd in English to Walker Buehler drinking beer in the jersey worn by Orel Hershiser from the 1988 Fall Classic.
Here’s how it all went down at Yahoo Sports.
Live23 updates
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The Dodgers are victorious again and celebrate the World Series in style
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) -
Magic Johnson also gets his ring
Earvin “Magic” Johnson, one of the owners of the Dodgers, takes home a ring of his own with the World Series victory. Between his playing career and his ownership career, Johnson now has 15 championship rings in multiple sports.
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Yoshinobu Yamamoto expresses his gratitude to the fans after winning a championship in his first year in the MLB
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Walker Buehler honors a legend from the past in the parade
During the parade, pitcher Walker Buehler honored former Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser with a game-worn 1988 World Series jersey. Hershiser started and ended his career as a Dodger and helped the team to the 1988 title – the last time it team won the championship before returning to the top in 2020.
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Shohei Ohtani celebrates his first title
It only took one season with the Dodgers for Shohei Ohtani to become a World Series champion, and it looks like he’s still soaking it up.
“This is a special moment for me,” Ohtani told the crowd at Dodger Stadium.
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It’s an emotional day for the Dodgers, with the likes of Teoscar Hernández and Clayton Kershaw giving heartfelt speeches
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Daniel Hudson says goodbye
Reliever Daniel Hudson, who returned for another championship run with the team, retired shortly after the Dodgers won the World Series.
“I came back here for this moment,” Hudson told a packed crowd at Dodger Stadium.
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Mookie Betts wants more World Series rings
Mookie Betts is now a three-time World Series champion, but he wants more. Betts joked that he wanted a tie with Derek Jeter, who has five championship rings.
“I have three,” Betts said, holding up his left hand. “I’m trying to fill this hand, LA”
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MVP Freddie Freeman receives a hero’s welcome at Dodger Stadium
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Walker Buehler is thoroughly enjoying the parade
Between the beer chute and jumping for joy with Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler is having the time of his life.
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Ice Cube is at Dodger Stadium for the festivities, and Dave Roberts is having a great time
Ice Cube is back at Dodger Stadium to entertain a sold-out crowd, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is certainly having fun with it.
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Dodger Stadium is packed with fans waiting for the parade
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The World Series trophy is here
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Shohei Ohtani brought along a Los Angeles celebrity for the parade: his dog Decoy.
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Clayton Kershaw expresses his appreciation for the fans
“It’s unbelievable, I’ve never seen so many people in my life,” Kershaw said in an interview with Sportsnet. Both Kershaw and the reporter had to shout to be heard above the crowd of Dodgers fans.
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The sun is shining, the guns are out: Kiké Hernández loses his shirt early in the parade
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The parade begins, with the Dodgers buses greeted by thousands of fans
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A bittersweet anniversary for the Dodgers as they honor Fernando Valenzuela
The Dodgers are celebrating more than one occasion today, paying tribute to Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela on what would have been his 64th birthday. Valenzuela, a pitcher and former face of the franchise, died on October 22 at the age of 63.
Fans along the parade route took time to sing “Happy Birthday” in Valenzuela’s honor.
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The Dodgers parade is delayed by a traffic jam in LA
In true LA fashion, the Dodgers buses are stuck in traffic, delaying the start of the championship parade.
