Bleary-eyed Dodgers fans arrived at an El Segundo store before dawn Friday to snag shirts, hats and other items in celebration of the team's first World Series appearance in nearly three decades.
The Dodgers routed the Cubs 11-1 Thursday night to win the NLCS, 4-1. Hours later, Dodgers fans were in Dick's Sporting Goods in El Segundo to gear up for the World Series.
"It's been a big thing in our family for 29 years," said Dodgers fan Donna Mae McMahon, of Hawthorne.
McMahon was on a mission. She scooped up caps, shirts and sweatshirts, some of which were for family members, throwing items over her shoulders as she moved rack-to-rack, table-to-table.
The lifelong Dodgers fan's sister lives in Texas, but remains True Blue. She was married the night a hobbled Kirk Gibson smacked a dramatic home run for the ages in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.
Commemorative pennants, baseballs and license plate frames also were stocked on the shelves. Employees brought out rows of tables to handle all the merchandise.
Vince Esparza, of Lawdale, wanted anything that said "Dodgers" and "Champions" on it.
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"The Los Angeles Dodgers have been part of our family for many, many years," he said.
Celebrations broke out following the victory, including a large group that gathered at Whittier Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue in East Los Angeles. Los Angeles City Hall and the U.S. Bank Tower were among the downtown Los Angeles buildings lit in blue.
The Dodgers will open the World Series Tuesday at Dodger Stadium, facing either the New York Yankees or Houston Astros. Game 6 of the American League Championship Series is set for Friday in Houston with the Yankees leading three games to two.
