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Dodger mania was on full display Monday, as fans still riding high on the franchise’s eighth World Series win watched Kiki Hernandez at the Raising Canes in Alhambra and Walker Buehler at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Cerritos. A large crowd formed to meet them.
This handshake may be one of the last chances to see two beloved players celebrate a World Series victory. Hernandez’s contract with the team expired at the end of the season, but the Dodgers did not extend their $21 million qualifying offer to keep Buehler.
As free agents, it’s still possible that both players will resign from the Dodgers, but Buehler has expressed interest in remaining with the team. However, he and Hernandez are currently on the open market, and fans were seizing the opportunity to see both players as soon as possible.
People began flocking to Raising Cane’s, located at 1300 E. Valley Blvd. According to KTLA, Hernandez left around 8 p.m. Sunday so he could be first in line when he arrived at 10 a.m. Monday. Meanwhile, Los Cerritos Community News reported that as of 7 a.m. Monday, a long line had already wrapped around Dick’s Sporting Goods waiting for Buehler’s 6 p.m. It was reported that it was seen extending into the area.
Buehler remained with the Dodgers for his entire seven-year career. After missing the 2023 season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, the pitcher struggled in the 2024 regular season.
But during the postseason, Buehler contributed to the Dodgers. In Game 3 of the World Series, he pitched five scoreless innings in his team’s 4-2 victory over the New York Yankees, and closed out the series with his first career save in Game 5.
Before the World Series, Buehler said, “I want to be here as long as they have me,” but the team’s decision on whether to extend his one-year, $21 million qualifying offer is likely to change if he An early indicator of whether it will come back.
Hernandez, a fan-favorite infielder and outfielder, played with the Dodgers from 2015 to 2020 and then with the Boston Red Sox from 2021 to 2023 before signing a one-year contract with the team. Hernandez was also on the Dodgers’ 2020 championship team.
He celebrated this latest victory Monday during his one-hour shift at Raising Cane’s, taking turns manning the counter and drive-thru window.
Hernandez was still excited as he gathered to meet a large crowd of fans at Friday’s parade.
“Finally having the parade happen is more than we could have ever imagined. The way this city presented itself to us was incredible. It’s really hard to put into words. … It was all a dream,” he told KTLA News at Raising Cane’s.
The versatile Hernandez played in 86 postseason games for the Dodgers, batting .278 with 15 home runs and 35 RBIs.
Hernandez hit a key home run in the Dodgers’ Game 5 win over San Diego in the NL Division Series, and he hit another home run in the NL Championship Series win over the New York Mets.
Times staff writer Tim Hubbard contributed to this report.
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