LOS ANGELES -- The Detroit Tigers were introduced some 40 minutes before game time on Thursday night, lining up along the first-base line, as is the tradition on Opening Day. Then the public address announcer concluded with an unusual message: “A special thank-you to the Tigers for accommodating this extended pregame ceremony.” In other words: This is going to take a while. You don’t have to stand there the whole time. You’re free to go. Some Tigers ducked back into the clubhouse. Others stayed in the dugout to watch. What followed was a Hollywood-scale homecoming more than a pregame. The Dodgers were back in front of their home fans for the first time since winning the 2024 World Series, and they made the most of the moment. All 53,595 fans in the sellout crowd were on their feet as the championship flag rose in center field. Player introductions were staged like a movie premiere, with the Dodgers emerging from center field onto a blue carpet flanked by pyrotechnics. Plumes of blue smoke made it seem like a gender reveal on repeat. Then came the main event: Ice Cube. The West Coast hip-hop legend -- whose music is a staple feature of the Dodger Stadium playlist -- appeared in a pre-recorded video driving a tricked-out Dodger-blue Chevy Bel Air through Los Angeles. His passenger: the World Series trophy. Naturally, he delivered it in person. The video ended with Cube pulling up to Chavez Ravine, and moments later he rolled onto the warning track in real life, parading the trophy around the field before handing it off to the players. “They were a great team last year. Ice Cube rolling out was pretty sweet,” Spencer Torkelson said. “It was pretty cool. We want that to be us one day.” The Tigers made the playoffs in 2024 for the first time in a decade and are aiming to take another step in 2025. “This is a great venue. It’s a great team. The festivities before the game -- both today and I’m sure tomorrow (for the ring ceremony) -- are something that’s earned,” said Tigers manager A.J. Hinch. “This is the big leagues. Opening Day at Dodger Stadium. Not many places you’d rather be.” Hinch said he was glad his players experienced it — even if the Dodgers went on to beat Detroit 5-4 in the season opener. “That’s what you play for. It’s not intimidating. It’s inspirational,” Hinch said. “You want to have a trophy of your own. To see the grand festivities before — I want players to picture themselves celebrating their own. That’s what we’re trying to bring to Detroit.” RELATED: Dodgers celebrate 2024 title, bring out Tigers legend for surprise first pitch