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It cost $1.7 million to have the LAPD work — and wear Dodgers caps — at World Series parade

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It cost .7 million to have the LAPD work — and wear Dodgers caps — at World Series parade

The response was much like that of a father when handed the bill for his daughter’s wedding reception. Joy trumps outrage every time.

So, when the city of Los Angeles informed the Dodgers that its police and fire department services for the Nov. 1 parade to celebrate the World Series championship totaled $2,028,805.19, the team was only too happy to cut the check.

The parade began at City Hall, meandered to the Walt Disney Concert Hall and ended at Fifth and Flower streets, wheeling through downtown on open-top double-decker buses with an estimated 250,000 fans lining the streets. Then came a boisterous rally in front of 42,000 fans at Dodger Stadium.

It was the parade the Dodgers couldn’t stage after winning the 2020 World Series during the COVID-19 shutdown. It was their first parade, in fact, since winning the World Series in 1988.

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“I’m telling you, the game is about the players and the fans,” manager Dave Roberts told The Times. “And in 2020 we just didn’t have that opportunity. … The city needed this parade.”

State law requires applicants — in this case, the Dodgers — requesting a permit to conduct a “special event” to pay “the city’s actual cost of providing the required number of police and other city employees necessary to ensure the safety of both the participants and the community.”

Therefore, it was the Dodgers — and not taxpayers — who will pay the Los Angeles Police Department $1,738,621.19 and the L.A. Fire Department $290,184 for making sure the celebration was conducted in a safe, orderly manner.

Good thing, given the dire financial straits the city of L.A. finds itself in. City departments went at least $215 million over budget from the beginning of the fiscal year July 1 through Oct. 31, according to an analysis. Expensive legal settlements and court judgments resulting from lawsuits against the city have been especially costly.

“We have been working closely with the city for some time and will be finalizing the total reimbursement soon,” the Dodgers said in a statement to The Times. “It was a great event for the city, Dodger fans and our team, and we’re grateful for the joint support of the Dodgers provided by the city as a whole, especially the Mayor, the City Council, the LAPD, the LAFD and the [Department of Transportation].”

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According to a city expenditure report, nearly all the money spent by the LAPD on the parade went to pay officers by the hour, from a communications intern to numerous officers to a deputy chief, although $415,464 was charged for “fringe benefits” listed under “indirect costs.” Maybe the blue Dodgers caps several of the officers wore fell into that category.

The LAPD bill broke down the total number of man and woman hours: 8,823.

A few days earlier when the Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in Game 5 to take the World Series title, unruly fans set fire to an L.A. Metro bus and commandeered street intersections for burnouts and street racing. More than 70 people were arrested for vandalism, assault on a police officer and failure to disperse.

No such behavior marred the parade. The only arrest reported was of a man who threw a bottle at officers. A group of rowdy fans hanging around afterward were ushered from the parade route by officers in tactical gear marching in formation. Otherwise, it was a cheerful outpouring of appreciation for the Dodgers.

All to be paid for by the Dodgers.

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It’s Game 7, and we have a bet locked in as the Cavaliers and legacies are on the line against the Pistons

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It’s Game 7, and we have a bet locked in as the Cavaliers and legacies are on the line against the Pistons

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The NBA takes a lot of flak for having meaningless games, and I can definitely understand it, watching on a random Wednesday in January. However, the playoffs have delivered over and over to viewers and rewarded us for putting up with garbage regular-season games.

This will be the fourth Game 7 of the playoffs. Three series have been sweeps, and the other three have been six games. That shows competitive hoops. Now, how do we bet this Game 7 in the Eastern Conference?

The Cleveland Cavaliers blew it. After not winning a road game all postseason, they took Game 5 in surprising fashion. It looked like they were going to win in six games. After all, they hadn’t lost a game at home in the postseason.

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Instead, Detroit came out and blitzed the Cavs, never giving them a chance to get their footing. They lost in an ugly fashion and now have to figure out a way to win a game on the road.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden drives to the basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half of Game 5 in the second-round NBA playoffs in Detroit on May 13, 2026. (Duane Burleson/AP)

It isn’t just the Cavs’ fate that rests in this game. It is also the legacy of James Harden and, to a lesser extent, Donovan Mitchell.

We know that Mitchell is a very good player, but he isn’t regarded as one of the best players ever. Harden is. Unfortunately, Harden has struggled in Game 7s. He’s averaged 19.1 points, 7.3 assists and 5.8 rebounds. That’s not terrible, but looking at his shooting percentages, he is at 35.3% and 22.2% in those games. He actually is 4-4 overall in the games, but in his past three, he has scored a combined 34 points over 113 minutes.

The Detroit Pistons seem to like playing with their backs against the wall. They are a gritty team, so I suppose it makes sense.

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Detroit Pistons’ Jalen Duren reacts after allowing a pass to go out of bounds in the second half of Game 4 of the second-round NBA playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland on May 11, 2026. (Sue Ogrocki/AP)

Cade Cunningham continues to deliver for the team, and he finally got some help in Game 6 from Jalen Duren. This was never going to be an easy series for Duren, but it feels like he is taking more time to mature than others. He definitely improved this year, but the consistency they need from him just isn’t there yet.

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Now as the team goes home they will need Duren to be a beast on the glass. If he can keep the Pistons in the rebounding battle, they should win this game with ease. They won Game 6 by just three rebounds, but that takes away a big dimension of what Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley do for the Cavs. It isn’t everything, though, as the Pistons won the rebounding battle in both losses in Cleveland.

I don’t see this being a runaway game for the Pistons. Mitchell and Cunningham likely will cancel each other out with scoring. Harden needs to establish himself as the third-best player on the floor. I haven’t seen him do that in the postseason, yet.

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Cleveland Cavaliers All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and James Harden talk during Game 2 in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs vs. the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Ohio. (David Dermer/Imagn Images)

This is the second Game 7 of the playoffs for both of the clubs, so it isn’t like either will be caught off guard about what this entails.

If I look at it objectively, I think the Cavs have the better players. However, the Pistons have looked significantly better this season, and definitely in the playoffs overall. Both are prone to issues and slipping. The Cavs shouldn’t be as they are a veteran team.

This game has to be won by Cleveland, though. There is too much riding on the franchise and legacies of guys for them to not prepare properly for it. Maybe that’s weak analysis, but I’m taking the Cavs with the points and I do think they win outright. I expect a monster game from Mitchell, and Harden should get 10+ assists.

Either way, whoever wins will lose to the New York Knicks.

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For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 

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High school softball: Southern Section Friday playoff scores and upcoming schedule

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High school softball: Southern Section Friday playoff scores and upcoming schedule

SOUTHERN SECTION SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS

FRIDAY’S RESULTS

FIRST ROUND

DIVISION 1

Murrieta Mesa 10, Valley View 0

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Orange Lutheran 10, Millikan 0

Chino Hills 2, El Modena 1

Etiwanda 14, Agoura 13

Palos Verdes 3, Riverside King 2

Cypress 4, Fullerton 2

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Ayala 11, Charter Oak 1

Riverside Poly 7, California 3

Norco 2, Marina 1

DIVISION 3

Rancho Cucamonga 9, Paloma Valley 1

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Great Oak 5, West Torrance 2

Edison 8, El Segundo 5

El Toro 9, Colton 0

Murrieta Valley 9, Redondo Union 8

North Torrance 5, Beaumont 0

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West Ranch 7, Trabuco Hills 6

San Juan Hills 8, Riverside North 7

Oak Park 10, Cerritos Valley Christian 4

Highland 7, Northview 2

La Serna 4, Carter 0

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Dos Pueblos 5, Crescenta Valley 0

Liberty 10, Arcadia 3

DIVISION 5

Anaheim 11, Flintridge Sacred Heart 0

Patriot 11, Arrowhead Christian 9

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Temple City 9, Rancho Christian 6

Grace 11, Buena Park 0

Crean Lutheran 3, Alemany 2

Shadow Hills 8, Cerritos 3

San Marcos 10, Leuzinger 0

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South El Monte 7, Long Beach Wilson 5

Covina 11, Garden Grove Santiago 1

Muir 8, Rio Hondo Prep 7

Santa Monica 6, Katella 5

Ontario 6, Norwalk 2

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Northwood 18, Duarte 11

DIVISION 7

Bloomington 9, Fillmore 8

Miller 11, Savanna 3

Santa Ana Calvary Chapel 11, Riverside Springs Magnolia 4

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Faith Baptist 18, St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy 4

Twentynine Palms 16, Rancho Alamitos 15

Riverside Notre Dame 12, Costa Mesa 2

Firebaugh 9, Pioneer 8

Chadwick 6, Desert Christian Academy 1

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Cathedral City 2, Artesia 1

Orange 9, Bellflower 3

Santa Ana 10, Hawthorne 0

Culver City 9, Temecula Prep 8

DIVISION 8

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Banning 20, Redlands Adventist 3

SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE

(Games at 3:15 p.m. unless noted)

SECOND ROUND

DIVISION 1

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La Habra at Murrieta Mesa, noon

Chino Hills at Orange Lutheran

Etiwanda at Westlake

La Mirada at Palos Verdes, noon

Garden Grove Pacifica at Cypress, noon

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Ayala at JSerra

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame at Oaks Christian, 1 p.m.

Norco at Riverside Poly

DIVISION 2

Bonita at Ganesha, 11 a.m.

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Whittier Christian at Warren

Simi Valley at St. Paul

Moorpark at Lakewood St. Joseph, 11 a.m.

Temescal Canyon at San Clemente, 12:30 p.m.

Huntington Beach at Camarillo, Monday

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Saugus at Vista Murrieta, 12:30 p.m.

Mater Dei at Gahr, noon

DIVISION 3

Great Oak at Rancho Cucamonga

Edison at El Toro, Monday

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Murrieta Valley at North Torrance

West Ranch at San Juan Hills

Riverside Prep at Oak Park, 12:30 p.m.

La Serna at Highland

Dos Pueblos at La Salle, Monday

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Villa Park at Liberty, 1 p.m.

DIVISION 4

St. Bonaventure at Harvard-Westlake, 11 a.m.

Apple Valley at Oxnard

Don Lugo at Monrovia, 1:30 p.m.

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La Quinta at Mira Costa

Rio Mesa at Mission Viejo, 10 a.m.

Oak Hills at Sunny Hills

Ramona at Paramount

Burbank Burroughs at Rosary, Monday

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DIVISION 5

Anaheim vs. Santa Clara at Beck Park

Temple City at Patriot

Crean Lutheran at Grace

Viewpoint at Shadow Hills

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San Marcos at Irvine University, noon

South El Monte at Covina

Santa Monica at Muir, 10:30 a.m.

Northwood at Ontario, 1 p.m.

DIVISION 6

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Irvine at Lakeside

Alhambra at Heritage

Eastside at Granite Hills, noon

El Monte at St. Genevieve

Sierra Vista vs. Southlands Christian at Brea Canyon Cutoff Rd

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Hesperia Christian vs. St. Monica Prep at Memorial Park, 2 p.m.

Arroyo at Lancaster

San Jacinto at Jurupa Valley

DIVISION 7

Bloomington at Ramona Convent

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Miller at Santa Ana Calvary Chapel

Faith Baptist at Twentynine Palms, Monday

Firebaugh vs. Riverside Notre Dame at Ramona

Chadwick at Cathedral City

Orange at Victor Valley, 11 a.m.

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Santa Ana at Culver City, Monday

Windward at Edgewood, Monday at 3:30 p.m.

DIVISION 8

ACE at Avalon

Bolsa Grande vs. San Bernardino, Monday at San Bernardino College

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Workman at Glendale

Cobalt at Santa Rosa Academy

Bell Gardens vs. Brentwood at John Anson Ford Park

Pomona Catholic vs. Capistrano Valley Christian at Laguna Hills, 2 p.m.

Fontana at Banning

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Hawthorne MSA at Arroyo Valley, 1 p.m.

Note: Quarterfinals May 20; Semifinals May 23; Finals May 28-30 at Bill Barber Memorial Park, Irvine.

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Justin Thomas, Keegan Bradley get heated with official over pace of play at PGA Championship

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Justin Thomas, Keegan Bradley get heated with official over pace of play at PGA Championship

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After a slow first round at Aronimink Golf Club in Philadelphia on Thursday, pace of play was a point of emphasis at the PGA Championship on Friday.

However, when an official approached Justin Thomas and Keegan Bradley, they became animated.

Thomas, a longtime Team USA Ryder Cup member, and Bradley, last year’s United States captain, were on the fourth hole when they were approached by an official in a cart, and the conversation quickly turned into finger-pointing.

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Justin Thomas and Keegan Bradley watch from the tenth green during the second round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown, Pennsylvania, on May 15, 2026. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Thomas said after the round that he, Bradley and fellow USA Ryder Cupper Cameron Young, who won the Cadillac Championship earlier this month, were put on the clock, with the official telling them to pick up the pace. However, both Bradley and Thomas appeared to point at the group in front of them.

“We just didn’t really agree with it,” Thomas said, citing course conditions, high winds and tough pins. “We were behind. That wasn’t our issue… It’s just the fact that we weren’t holding up the group behind us.”

Thomas said they were caught up with the pace on the very next hole.

Justin Thomas plays his shot on the 15th tee during the second round of the PGA Championship in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, on May 15, 2026. (Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)

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GARRICK HIGGO SHARES BAFFLING COMMENTS WHILE REACTING TO TWO-SHOT PENALTY AT PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Thomas had a lengthy conversation with the official, while Bradley appeared to make his point short and sweet — though he was definitely not happy with the call.

It is a large PGA Championship field, with 156 golfers at the course and groups even starting their rounds on the back nine. The scores have also been rather high, with just 25 players below par at the time of publishing.

Aronimink also features a shared tee box on 1 and 10, holes 9 and 17 crossing paths, and a lengthy par-3 eighth hole that’s causing problems. Three par-3s are over 200 yards on the course, and there is also a 457-yard par 4 on the fourth.

Keegan Bradley prepares to putt on the 14th green during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, on May 14, 2026. (Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)

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As Chris Gotterup put it on Friday, “You’re not going to get any four-and-a-half hour rounds out here.”

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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