The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Chicago Cubs 11-1 on Thursday to get to the World Series for the first time in 29 years.
The Dodgers defeated the defending World Series champions 4-1 in the best-of-seven series at Chicago's historic Wrigley Field, KCBS-TV reported.
The newly-crowned National League champions awaited their World Series opponent, as the American League series between the New York Yankees and Houston Astros continued on, with the Yankees coming back to now lead 3-2.
"This has been a dream, you know, to play in the World Series, I think that's what any little kid thinks about," the Dodgers star pitcher Clayton Kershaw told KCBS-TV. "You know for me, I know we have four more wins to go, but right now, we get to go to the World Series. I never thought I'd get to say that, so it's pretty cool."
The Dodgers returned to Los Angeles International Airport about 3:30 a.m. Friday, where Enrique Hernandez said he and his teammates will relax and watch the Yankees play the Astros on Friday night, per KCBS-TV.
Hernandez hit three home runs in the decisive game against the Cubs, the most by a Dodger in the postseason, and tied a Major League Baseball record.
"I don't remember the last time the Dodgers were in the World Series," Hernandez told the Los Angeles Times. "I wasn’t even born yet. But guess what? We’re in the [expletive] World Series, and we got four [expletive] games to go!"
The Dodgers haven’t advanced to the World Series since their improbable run in 1988, when Kirk Gibson's iconic pinch-hit walk off home run against Oakland's Hall of Fame reliever Dennis Eckersley inspired Los Angeles to a 4-1 series victory.
Tommy Lasorda, who managed that team, attended Thursday’s contest and greeted Kershaw, who was born the same year that team won that World Series, near the Dodgers clubhouse, the Times reported.
"Outstanding!” Lasorda said, according to the Times. “Outstanding!”
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