Executive summary: The Los Angeles Dodgers repeated as World Series champions after a nail-biting Game 7 that extended to 11 innings, with catcher Will Smith delivering the decisive go-ahead home run. His blast secured a 5-4 win over the Toronto Blue Jays, marking the first back-to-back title in MLB since 2000 and capping an epic series filled with twists and turns.
The game was a roller-coaster from the start, with the Blue Jays taking an early lead on Bo Bichette’s three-run homer in the third inning. Dodgers ace Shohei Ohtani struggled with command, loading the bases in the second but escaping unscathed. Toronto’s defense shone with key plays, including Daulton Varsho’s diving catch and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s inning-ending grab, keeping the Dodgers at bay for much of the game.
As tension mounted, the Dodgers chipped away, with Max Muncy hitting a solo home run in the eighth to narrow the gap to 4-3. The real drama unfolded in the ninth inning when Miguel Rojas, batting ninth and not in the starting lineup until Game 6, launched a game-tying home run off closer Jeff Hoffman, stunning the Blue Jays and sending the game to extra innings.
In the 11th inning, with two outs and no one on, Will Smith faced Shane Bieber and worked a 2-0 count. He connected on a hanging slider, sending it over the left-field wall for a solo home run that gave the Dodgers a 5-4 lead. Smith, typically reserved, erupted in emotion as he rounded the bases, while his teammates celebrated on the warning track.
Smith’s heroics were even more remarkable given his workload; he caught every inning of the World Series, totaling 73 innings—a record for any catcher in Fall Classic history. Despite a hairline fracture in his hand sustained in September, he played through pain and was instrumental both offensively and defensively, guiding a depleted pitching staff through high-pressure situations.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, named World Series MVP, sealed the victory by inducing a game-ending double play in the bottom of the 11th, pitching on his 130th pitch over two days. His relief effort, combined with Smith’s leadership, highlighted the Dodgers’ depth and resilience. The win made Los Angeles the first team to repeat as champions since the 2000 Yankees.
The victory cements the Dodgers’ dynasty, with key contributions from veterans and role players alike. For the Blue Jays, it was a heartbreaking end to a stellar postseason, marked by strong pitching and defense that ultimately fell short. The game will be remembered as one of the greatest in World Series history, with Smith’s home run joining legendary moments like Bill Mazeroski’s and Joe Carter’s.
Looking ahead, the Dodgers are favored to contend again in 2026, while the Blue Jays face offseason questions after coming so close. Smith’s clutch performance underscores his value as a franchise cornerstone, having signed a 10-year extension, and solidifies his place among baseball’s elite catchers.