LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers, including Shohei Ohtani and his dog, celebrated their eighth World Series championship Friday with a downtown parade and raucous party on the field.

“This is so special,” said Ohtani, who normally speaks publicly only in his native Japanese but addressed a crowd of 42,458 people at Dodger Stadium in English. “I’m so honored to be here. Congratulations, Los Angeles. Thanks, guys.”

Fellow Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto added in English: “Thank you, Dodger fans.”

Rapper Ice Cube kicked off the party with a performance of “It Was a Good Day,” with manager Dave Roberts dancing and joining in the lyrics from a blue circular stage in the center of the field.

‘You wanted a parade. We have a parade,” Roberts said. “Guys, let’s get ready to do this again next year.”

Players exchanged hugs and backslaps on stage as blue and white confetti floated through the air and the team’s signature song, “I Love LA,” blared. Their children played on the field, while Freddie Freeman’s 8-year-old son, Charlie, led some of them in jumping onto the lower retaining wall near the crowd.

Players took turns passing the Commissioner’s Trophy.

“Who else has more championships than us in the 2020s?” asked utility company Kiké Hernández. “Absolutely no one.”

Roberts introduced Freeman as someone who “played with one leg and one rib,” referring to the first baseman’s injuries.

“I did everything I could to be on the field for you guys and I’m so glad I did because we have a championship now,” Freeman said. “I can’t wait to do this again next year.”

Earlier, seven double-decker buses filled with players, their families and coaching staff drove through streets full of blue-clad fans. Los Angeles police estimated the crowd at more than 200,000.

“This is unbelievable,” said Freeman, the World Series MVP. “LA really showed itself today.”

Several players smoked cigars and drank beer on the buses on the sunny day.

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever been a part of,” pitcher Clayton Kershaw said. “I’ve never seen so many people in my life. They are all Dodger fans.”

A shirtless Hernández leaned over the front of his bus with a beer in his hand. Ohtani held his dog, Decoy, in his arms with his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, nearby.

“I’m totally overwhelmed by the amount of fans that are here,” Ohtani said through an interpreter as the bus continued to drive. “It’s been an incredible year. I’m so happy that I was able to contribute.”

When asked if he would take off his shirt like Hernández, a smiling Ohtani shook his head and replied in English: “No, never.”

Walker Buehler, who pitched the ninth inning in the Series finale, did a beer bong while wearing Orel Hershiser’s jersey from the 1988 World Series championship.

“This is crazy, man. I love this,” said outfielder Teoscar Hernández.

Fans cheered and waved at the players. The parade took place on what would have been the 64th birthday of Fernando Valenzuela, the 1981 NL Cy Young Award winner and Rookie of the Year winner, who died days before the World Series started.

The Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in five games and captured the title with a 7-6 victory in the Bronx on Wednesday.

A portion of the ticketed stadium event proceeds will be donated to the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.

There were more than a dozen arrests during informal celebrations following the team’s comeback victory to clinch the Series. Burglaries, vandalism and fires occurred in some parts of the city.

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