Dodgers celebrate World Series win with Los Angeles parade

A parade celebrating the Los Angeles Dodgers eighth World Series win will kick off Friday at 11 a.m. PT from City Hall, according to the team. The Dodgers beat the Yankees on Wednesday with a tight 7-6 score in the final series game at Yankee Stadium. The parade will also mark the birthday of legendary Dodgers pitcher Fernando “El Toro” Valenzuela, who died less than two weeks ago at the age of 63. It will be an emotional day for all of us, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said in an interview. Fernando was a good friend, but he's surely smiling right now, very proud of the team, he said.

What will the parade be like? Team members will ride the 45-minute parade route in an open-top double-decker bus and end at Dodgers Stadium, where players will continue celebrating with fans in the stadium, according to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Tickets for the stadium celebration sold out in less than an hour after going live Thursday afternoon. LA Mayor Karen Bass urged residents to celebrate the team’s win safely and responsibly.

Violence and dangerous behavior against communities and local businesses will not be tolerated, Bass said in a statement. Over 100 traffic officers will be deployed to maximize safety around the parade route, her office said. Two dozen traffic engineers will be on site to establish and adjust travel routes, the release added.

Why the concern about violence? In an unrelated incident in February, one woman was killed and more than 20 people were wounded after gunfire broke out at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl LVIII parade in Missouri. At least two adults and two juveniles were arrested in connection with that incident, which police later said was sparked by an argument.