Topline:
The Dodgers World Series parade may be over, but that’s not going to stop fans from continuing to celebrate the back-to-back wins of their beloved team.
The Dodgers Blue Hiking Crew will assemble this Sunday in Griffith Park for a 'World Series Victory Lap.'
The backstory: Hiker and Dodgers fan Carlos Berruz got the idea to combine Angelenos’ love for their team with the great outdoors, and the Dodgers Blue Hiking Crew was born.
Read on ... to find details on Sunday's victory hike.
The Dodgers World Series parade may be over, but that’s not going to stop fans from continuing to celebrate the back-to-back wins of their beloved team.
After leading many group treks over the years, about 10 years ago, avid hiker Carlos Berruz got the idea to combine Angelenos’ love for their team with the great outdoors.
The Dodgers Blue Hiking Crew was born.
“Our motto is: An unofficial group created by official fans. And this is definitely a Dodger-themed hike. So what I tell folks is, ‘If you don’t have Dodger gear to wear, wear blue,’” Berruz told LAist.
The crew usually meets a few times a year — around opening day, during the Major League Baseball season and toward the end. Their last hike in Griffith Park at the beginning of the season attracted around 200 hikers, sporting blue hats, t-shirts, socks and jerseys. Berruz is expecting about the same turnout for their World Series victory trek this weekend.
“We’re very excited about this year. You know, we can only dream of getting back-to-back World Series titles. And here we are, we’re doing it,” he said.
Berruz said the hikes are a way for fans to show their support for the Dodgers, with some of the hikers riffing on baseball stats that go over even his head. But there’s more happening as these ramblers hit the trails.
“I’ve been approached by people that have thanked me, that I’ve gotten them through their darkest times. I did not know, whether it would be a death in the family, a divorce things of that nature. I mean the outdoors really, really is outdoor therapy for a lot of people,” Berruz said.
If you're planning on attending the victory lap this weekend, Berruz said come prepared for an excellent workout, as the river of blue will cut 6 miles round trip.
Dodgers Blue Hiking Crew World Series Victory Lap
Sunday at 7 a.m.
Starting location: Griffith Park merry-go-round parking lot No. 2