The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the World Series title on November 2, 2025, defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in a thrilling Game 7 that extended into extra innings. Will Smith made history with a go-ahead home run in the 11th inning, marking the first time a winner-take-all championship game featured an extra-inning homer. This victory makes the Dodgers the first team to win back-to-back championships in 25 years.
In a contest filled with dramatic shifts, the game showcased not only remarkable athleticism but also intense emotions. The Blue Jays initially took a commanding lead, going up 3-0 thanks to Bo Bichette’s third-inning home run off pitcher Shohei Ohtani. They later extended their advantage to 4-2 before Max Muncy responded with a solo shot in the eighth inning, igniting the Dodgers’ rally.
The turning point came in the ninth inning when Miguel Rojas, who had been inserted into the lineup to energize the team, hit a surprising home run against Jeff Hoffman. This brought the game to a tense 4-4 tie, stunning the 44,713 fans at Rogers Centre. Rojas had not hit a home run since September 19, making this moment all the more significant.
Dodgers pitcher and World Series MVP, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, managed to escape a bases-loaded situation in the bottom half of the ninth, showcasing his poise under pressure. The Dodgers’ relief pitching also shone as Seranthony Domínguez managed to keep the game tied in the tenth by stranding three runners.
In the 11th inning, Smith’s decisive swing came on a 2-0 pitch from Shane Bieber, sending the ball soaring into the left-field bullpen. Smith celebrated by raising his arms as he rounded the bases, marking his second significant homer in the series, and giving the Dodgers their first lead of the night.
The game continued to build in tension as the Blue Jays attempted to respond in their final at-bat. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led off with a double and was sacrificed to third base. However, a crucial double play executed by Mookie Betts ended the game, securing the Dodgers’ victory. It was only the second double play to conclude a World Series, a feat last seen in 1947.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised the team’s resilience, noting, “To do what we’ve done in this span of time is pretty remarkable.” This championship marks the Dodgers’ ninth overall and their third in six years, igniting discussions about their potential status as a dynasty in Major League Baseball.
The historical significance of this win cannot be understated. The Dodgers are now the first team to repeat as champions since the New York Yankees achieved this feat from 1998 to 2000, and they are the first National League team to win consecutive titles since the Cincinnati Reds in 1975 and 1976.
Reflecting on the victory, Smith shared, “You dream of those moments. I’ll remember that for forever.” The game, lasting four hours and seven minutes, was a showcase of skill, strategy, and the emotional highs and lows that define postseason baseball.
As the Dodgers celebrated with silver confetti showering down, the Blue Jays were left to ponder what could have been. Their manager, John Schneider, expressed disappointment but recognized the competitive spirit of the series, stating, “Going back to the beginning of the Series when people were calling it David vs. Goliath, it’s not even close.”
The Dodgers’ triumph in this historic game adds another chapter to their storied franchise and sets the stage for what could be an exciting 2026 season.
