An unprecedented 2020 MLB season concluded with the Los Angeles Dodgers capturing their first World Series championship since 1988. Their Game 6 win against the Tampa Bay Rays came roughly two weeks after the L.A. Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.
It marked the first time since 1988 that both the Dodgers and Lakers took home the trophy in the same calendar year. However, the feat is especially unique this time around given that the clinching victories happened in the same month.
The NBA Finals began in late September and didn’t conclude until the second week of October as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic interrupting the 2020-21 season. Such has also prevented the Dodgers and Lakers from scheduling championship parades to celebrate with fans.
Both teams announced plans to do so whenever the public health situation improves. One scenario being discussed is a joint parade at Griffith Park.
During an appearance on “Good Day LA,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he is fully onboard with a parade that includes the Lakers, believing it would be a fitting way to remember a unique year:
“This unique year, let’s do something crazy. Dodgers, Lakers parade together, duel celebration, millions of Angelenos together. Let’s do it up.”
Clayton Kershaw voiced the same opinion during his interview on “The Ellen Show“:
“This is the best. The Lakers won too, so I was saying whenever it’s safe to do so, a Laker-Dodger parade in L.A. That would be awesome. We should do that together. That would be great.”
With millions of Angelenos patiently waiting to celebrate both the Dodgers and Lakers championship victories, a joint parade would uniquely allow them to do so at the same time.
While it remains to be seen if this plan comes to fruition, it is clear that both teams are open to the idea.
Roberts felt Dodgers, Lakers playing simultaneously in playoffs was ‘great’ for L.A.
With the MLB and NBA finishing out their respective seasons at the same time, there were a few occasions in which the Dodgers and Lakers played within hours of each other.
Roberts called it a breath of fresh air for L.A. sports fans. “It’s great for this city. The city needs it,” he said. “Our country needs it. It’s very therapeutic, it’s a diversion.”
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