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Dodgers World Series parade: Clayton Kershaw declares himself 'Dodger for life' with player option looming

yahoo sports staff

The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their World Series title with a championship parade on Friday, and no one was happier than a pitcher who wasn't able to pitch 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 was a moment a long time coming, as the 17-year MLB veteran didn't get to enjoy such a celebration following 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 took the mic, it wasn't long before he was loudly showing his happiness.

Kershaw's full speech:

"I've waited for this day for a long time. I've waited to celebrate for a long time. 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 right here. I'm at a loss for words, but I didn't have anything to do with this championship, but it feels like the best feeling in the world that I get to celebrate with you guys. Two-time champs and a lot more coming. Let's go!

"I love you guys, thank you! Dodger for life!"

Those last words are mighty interesting, considering that 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 on veteran starting pitching.

Yet it now looks like Kershaw has no intention of playing anywhere else. He said as much to reporters after the event, confirming that he plans to pick up his option for 2025. He also revealed that he will undergo surgeries on both his left toe and his left knee in the offseason, with his timeline to return unclear.

While Kershaw said he didn't have anything to do with this championship, he did make seven starts with a 4.50 ERA in 2024 after beginning the season late due to a shoulder surgery in 2023. More than half of the earned runs Kershaw allowed came in his final two starts, as the pain in his toe was getting worse.

There were plenty of other fun moments Friday, from Shohei Ohtani addressing the Dodger Stadium crowd in English to Walker Buehler chugging beer in Orel Hershiser's game-worn jersey from the 1988 Fall Classic.

Here's how it all went down at Yahoo Sports.

Live23 updates

  • The Dodgers are once again triumphant, celebrating the World Series in style

    Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw hold the World Series trophy during the baseball team's World Series championship parade and celebration at Dodger Stadium, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
    (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Magic Johnson gets his ring, too

    Earvin "Magic" Johnson, one of the owners of the Dodgers, takes home a ring of his own with the World Series win. Between his playing career and his ownership career, Johnson now has 15 championship rings across multiple sports.

  • Yoshinobu Yamamoto expresses his gratitude for fans after winning a championship in his first year in MLB

  • Walker Buehler honors a past legend in the parade

    During the parade, pitcher Walker Buehler honored past Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser with a game-worn 1988 World Series jersey. Hershiser started and ended his career as a Dodger, helping the team to the 1988 title — the last time the team won the championship before getting back to the top in 2020.

  • Shohei Ohtani celebrates his first title

    It took only one season with the Dodgers for Shohei Ohtani to become a World Series champion, and it seems like he's still taking it in.

    "This is [a] special moment for me," Ohtani told the crowd at Dodger Stadium.

  • It's an emotional day for the Dodgers, with Teoscar Hernández and Clayton Kershaw among those sharing heartfelt speeches

  • Daniel Hudson bids farewell

    Reliever Daniel Hudson, who came back for one more championship run with the team, retired right after the Dodgers won the World Series.

    "I came back for this moment right here," Hudson told a packed crowd in Dodger Stadium.

  • Mookie Betts wants more World Series rings

    Mookie Betts is now a three-time World Series champ, but he wants more. Betts joked that he wanted to tie with Derek Jeter, who has five championship rings.

    "I got three," Betts said, holding up his left hand. "I'm tryin' to fill this hand up, L.A."

  • MVP Freddie Freeman gets a hero's welcome at Dodger Stadium

  • Walker Buehler is thoroughly enjoying the parade

    Between the beer funnel and jumping for joy with Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler is having the time of his life.

  • Ice Cube is at Dodger Stadium for the festivities, and Dave Roberts is having a time

    Ice Cube is back at Dodger Stadium to keep a sold-out crowd entertained, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts sure is having fun with it.

  • Dodger Stadium is packed with fans waiting for the parade

  • The World Series trophy is here

  • Shohei Ohtani has brought a noted Los Angeles celebrity along for the parade: his dog, Decoy.

  • Clayton Kershaw shouts his appreciation for the fans

    "It's incredible, I've never seen so many people in my life," Kershaw said in an interview with Sportsnet. Both Kershaw and the reporter had to yell to be heard over the crowd of Dodgers fans.

  • Sun's out, guns out: Kiké Hernández loses his shirt early in the parade

  • The parade begins, with the Dodgers buses greeted by thousands of fans

  • A bittersweet birthday for the Dodgers, who 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 Oct. 22 at age 63.

    Fans along the parade route took the time to sing "Happy Birthday" in Valenzuela's honor.

  • Dodgers' parade gets delayed by an L.A. traffic jam

    In true L.A. fashion, the Dodgers' buses are stuck in traffic, delaying the start of the championship parade.

  • With the start of the parade minutes away, Dodgers fans are ready to celebrate

  • Dodgers fans are set for an official parade on Friday — two days after unofficial celebrations got a bit rowdy

    This isn't the first celebration in Los Angeles: After the Dodgers' Game 5 win in New York, fans partied in the streets, with the celebrations getting a little out of hand. More than 70 people were arrested after an unruly crowd of people set fires, vandalized stores and set off fireworks.

    Friday's parade is expected to be more controlled, but still lively.

  • The Dodgers — and their bus — are ready to take on the streets of L.A.