Column: The deal is complete! The Dodgers are certain to defeat the Mets and go to the World Series.

n a twist of fate that only Los Angeles could deliver, the Dodgers’ highly anticipated World Series parade hit an unexpected snag before it even began. The team bus carrying stars like Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and newly crowned MVP Shohei Ohtani found itself trapped in LA’s notorious gridlock, just as thousands of fans lined the streets hoping to catch a glimpse of their baseball heroes.

It was supposed to be a seamless celebration, honoring the Dodgers’ recent championship victory over the New York Yankees, capped by a historic comeback in Game 5. But even as the crowds swelled to over 100,000 along the downtown route, the Dodgers roster was caught up in traffic, delaying the start of their own parade.

“It’s a little ironic,” admitted Mookie Betts, “to win the championship and then be late to our own party because of traffic.”

A parade years in the making
The celebration marks the Dodgers’ first proper championship parade since 1988. Although the team won the World Series in 2020, COVID-19 restrictions kept fans from experiencing a full victory parade. This year’s parade, beginning at Gloria Molina Grand Park and culminating in front of Dodger Stadium, was set to be historic-and perhaps, slightly longer than expected.

Undeterred by traffic or delays, the fans arrived in droves, with many wearing Dodgers blue and carrying signs celebrating the team’s eighth championship title. “I’ve been here since dawn,” said Hector Ruiz, a lifelong Dodgers fan. “I missed the 2020 parade, so there’s no way I was going to miss this one-even if they’re stuck in traffic.”

As fans waited, an unexpected sense of community emerged. Groups cheered together, sharing stories of favorite plays, the Game 1 Grand Slam, and the heart-stopping Game 5 comeback.

The parade was expected to last 45 minutes, following a route through downtown Los Angeles, but city officials had prepared for heavy crowds and advised fans to expect some delays. Mayor Karen Bass, who was set to give opening remarks, said the city was “thrilled to honor the Dodgers” but added with a smile, “maybe next time, we’ll consider a helicopter ride.”

In a city where traffic is legendary, it seems fitting that even a World Series parade isn’t immune to a few LA-style delays.