The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their eighth World Series title Wednesday in New York, coming back from a five-run deficit against the New York Yankees to secure the 7-6 Game 5 victory.  Los Angeles, which who won the World Series during the shortened 2020 season, earned its first title in a regular, 162-game season since 1988.

The Yankees started strong in Game 5 with home runs from center fielder Aaron Judge, third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. and designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, giving them a 5-0 lead through four innings. New York ace Gerrit Cole kept the Dodgers hitless through the first four innings, retiring their first eight hitters in order, before multiple errors doomed New York in the fifth inning and allowed the Dodgers to tie up the game.

Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts said after the game: “There is so much love in this clubhouse that won this game today. That’s what it was. It was love. It was grit. It was just a beautiful thing.”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts added: “It’s unbelievable. We had a great season and went through a lot of adversity. A lot of people counted us out. … These guys believed in one another. Even when we were down 5-0, they persevered and kept fighting and now we are world champions.”

First baseman Freddie Freeman, who was 6 for 20 (.300) with four home runs and a World Series record-tying 12 RBIs, claimed MVP honors.  Said Freeman: “Every spring training, this is our goal and for this to come true with this group of guys, I couldn’t ask for a better year.”

The Dodgers will host a championship parade on Friday, starting at 11 a.m. at Gloria Molina Grand Park in front of City Hall in downtown Los Angeles.

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