The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their World Series title with a championship parade Friday, and no one was happier than a pitcher who couldn’t pitch an inning in the postseason.
After sitting out the entire 2024 playoffs due to a bone spur in his left big toe, Clayton Kershaw and his teammates enjoyed a parade in downtown Los Angeles. It was a long time coming, as the 17-year MLB veteran was unable to enjoy such a celebration following his first title 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 took the microphone, it didn’t take long for him to show his happiness loud and clear.
Kershaw’s full speech:
“I’ve waited a long time for this day. I’ve waited a long time to celebrate. I can’t imagine being anywhere else right now and I can’t imagine doing it with a better group of guys than this group here. I’m at a loss for words, but I have nothing to do with this championship, but it’s the best feeling in the world that I can celebrate with you guys, much more to come, here we go!
“I love you guys, thank you! Dodger for life!”
These last words are very interesting given that Kershaw has a player option on his contract for next season. Kershaw has never played for an organization other than the Dodgers, who drafted him seventh overall in 2006, but his recent forays into the world of free agency have presented the possibility of an exit. His hometown Texas Rangers have long been a possibility, especially after they started spending big money on veteran pitchers.
And yet, it now appears that Kershaw has no intention of playing anywhere else. He said this while speaking to reporters after the event, confirming that he plans to take up his option for 2025. He also revealed that he will undergo surgeries on both his left toe and knee left during the offseason, his schedule unclear.
Clayton Kershaw said he will have surgery on his left toe and knee on Wednesday. But he reiterated that he will be back with the Dodgers next season.
–Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) November 1, 2024
Clayton Kershaw will undergo two surgeries Wednesday, he said.
First, to take care of his toe – there’s more damage than just bone spurs, including a ruptured plantar plate.
The second, to repair the meniscus in his left knee.
Timeline to be determined.
– Fabien Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) November 1, 2024
While Kershaw said he had nothing to do with this championship, he made seven starts with a 4.50 ERA after starting the season late due to shoulder surgery in 2023. More of the earned runs he allowed came in his final out. two departures, because the pain in the toe was getting worse.
There were plenty of other fun moments Friday, from Shohei Ohtani addressing the crowd at Dodger Stadium in English to Walker Buehler drinking beer in the jersey worn by Orel Hershiser in the 1988 Fall Classic. Here are how it all happened at Yahoo Sports.
Live23 updates
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Dodgers triumph once again and celebrate the World Series in style
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Magic Johnson also receives his ring
Earvin “Magic” Johnson, one of the owners of the Dodgers, wins his own ring with the World Series victory. Between his playing career and his ownership career, Johnson now has 15 championship rings across multiple sports.
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Yoshinobu Yamamoto expresses gratitude to fans after winning a championship in his first year in MLB
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Walker Buehler pays tribute to a past legend during the parade
During the parade, pitcher Walker Buehler honored former Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser with a jersey worn in the 1988 World Series game. Hershiser began and ended his career as a Dodger, helping the team win the title in 1988 – the last time the 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 appears he’s still coming to terms with it.
“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 Teoscar Hernández and Clayton Kershaw among those sharing heartfelt speeches
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Daniel Hudson says goodbye
Reliever Daniel Hudson, who returned for another championship run with the team, retired right after the Dodgers won the World Series.
“I came back for this moment here,” Hudson said to 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 to even with Derek Jeter, who has five championship rings.
“I have three,” Betts said, raising 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 thoroughly enjoys the parade
Between the beer funnel and jumping for joy with Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler is having an unforgettable time.
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Ice Cube is at Dodger Stadium for the festivities and Dave Roberts is having fun
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 a Los Angeles celebrity to the show: his dog, Decoy.
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Clayton Kershaw expresses his appreciation to fans
“It’s amazing, I’ve never seen so many people in my life,” Kershaw said in an interview with Sportsnet. Kershaw and the reporter had to shout to be heard among the crowd of Dodgers fans.
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The sun is out, the guns are out: Kiké Hernández loses his shirt at the start of the parade
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The parade begins, with Dodgers buses greeted by thousands of fans
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A bittersweet anniversary for the Dodgers, who pay tribute to Fernando Valenzuela
The Dodgers are celebrating more than one occasion today, honoring 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 age 63.
Fans along the parade route took time to sing “Happy Birthday” in honor of Valenzuela.
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Dodgers parade delayed by traffic jam in Los Angeles
In true Los Angeles fashion, Dodgers buses are stuck in traffic, delaying the start of the championship parade.
