Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts Wants to Bring Parade to City of Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Dodgers are heading to their fourth World Series since Dave Roberts took over as manager, and looking for their second title win under Roberts. The Dodgers lost their first two World Series under Roberts in 2017 and 2018, losing to the Houston Astros in 2017 and the Boston Red Sox in 2018, but defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in 2020 to bring home their seventh title in franchise history.
Not only are the Dodgers looking to win the World Series over the New York Yankees, but Roberts is looking to bring back a parade to Los Angeles. When the Dodgers last won the World Series in 2020, there was no parade because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“That’s something that I really wanted to get out there because, in 2020, we didn’t get that parade,” Roberts said, via Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. “If there’s even more incentive for winning the World Series in 2024, it’s to have that parade. The way that the fans responded speaks to how passionate and how much they care about the Dodgers. It’s L.A. It’s about championships. I respect that.”
“The fans definitely deserve it,” Dodgers owner Mark Walter added Sunday, via Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.
The Dodgers have won seven World Series in their franchise’s history, but last held a parade in 1988 after they defeated the Oakland Athletics in the 1988 World Series. That World Series took place when Tommy Lasorda was still the manager of the team, and before many of the current Dodgers players and fans were even alive.
“I think it would be special no matter what,” Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw said. “Having a parade here would be pretty cool.”
The city of Los Angeles missed out on two championship parades in 2020, with the Los Angeles Lakers also unable to hold a parade. The Los Angeles Rams did get the chance to hold a parade after they won the Super Bowl in 2022.
If the Dodgers can defeat the Yankees this series, they will get the opportunity to celebrate with the entire city in what would be a much awaited parade. Their quest for the title and parade begins Friday, when Game 1 of the World Series takes place.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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