Los Angeles Dodgers star Kike Hernandez didn’t hold back at the team’s World Series victory parade, taking a playful swipe at the New York Yankees—and rapper Fat Joe—following a criticized pre-game performance during the series. Hernandez’s jab came as the Dodgers celebrated their latest championship in LA, relishing in their 4-1 series win over the Yankees.
Reflecting on the series, Hernandez praised Dodgers fan-favorite Ice Cube, who fired up the LA crowd at Game 2. “Ice Cube came out in Game 2, and with his performance, we didn’t even need to play the game—we had already won it,” Hernandez joked, crediting the NWA legend’s appearance as part of the team’s 4-2 win.
Fat Joe’s Performance Falls Flat in New York
However, when the series shifted to New York, the Yankees brought out Bronx-born rapper Fat Joe for Game 3, hoping to energize the crowd. Unfortunately, the performance was met with heavy criticism online, with fans taking to social media to mock Fat Joe’s presence on the mound, Timberland boots and all. “Fat Joe on the mound in Tims…I KNOW them groundskeepers off camera having a heart attack,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter), while another quipped, “Fat Joe opening up for the Yankees might be one of the worst things I’ve ever witnessed.”
Adding his own twist to the backlash, Hernandez humorously remarked, “Then we go to New York, and this guy—he used to be fat, he’s not fat anymore. His name is Joe. He came out and sang, and guess what, we didn’t need to play anymore because after that performance we had already won.”
A Tough Series for the Yankees
The Yankees had hoped Fat Joe’s hometown presence would rally fans, but the performance seemed to coincide with their struggles in the series. The Dodgers, already up 2-0 before Game 3, maintained their momentum and took another 4-2 win in New York. The Yankees managed to bounce back in Game 4, but their disastrous fifth inning in Game 5—where they blew a five-run lead—effectively sealed the Dodgers’ championship win, leaving New York fans disheartened.
As the Dodgers celebrated their eighth franchise title, Hernandez’s playful ribbing highlighted the intensity of the rivalry, with fans on both sides reacting passionately to the series’ on-field and off-field antics.
Will the Yankees return next season with a different approach—or perhaps a different pre-game performer? For now, Hernandez and the Dodgers are basking in their victory, while the Yankees face an offseason of reflection.
Sources for this article include:
Reports from the LA Dodgers World Series parade, fan reactions on X, and commentary from Kike Hernandez.
