Shohei Ohtani brings his dog and speaks to the crowd in English as Dodgers celebrate the World Series title

LOS ANGELES – 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 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 utilityman Kiké Hernández. “Absolutely no one.”