Was the Dodgers vs the Blue Jays the best World Series in MLB history?

The Los Angeles Dodgers pulled off a historic feat in the 2025 MLB season, clinching back-to-back World Series titles with a dramatic 5-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in an 11-inning Game 7 thriller at Rogers Centre. The California club overcame a 3-2 series deficit, winning the final two games on the road to secure their ninth championship in franchise history.

The date of the decisive game, November 1, carried special significance for Dodgers fans. It marked the birthday of Mexican legend Fernando Valenzuela, who passed away just months earlier. The team honored his legacy throughout the season by wearing a commemorative patch on their jerseys.

With this win, the Dodgers became the first team to repeat as World Series champions since the New York Yankees’ three-peat from 1998 to 2000, and the first National League team to do so since the Cincinnati Reds in 1975-76.

Dodgers vs Blue Jays: What made Game 7 an instant classic?

Catcher Will Smith delivered the decisive blow, launching a solo home run off right-hander Shane Bieber with two outs in the top of the 11th inning. It was the first extra-inning home run in a winner-takes-all World Series game in MLB history.

The Dodgers also became just the fifth team ever to win a Game 7 of the World Series after trailing by three runs. Their comeback was sparked by utilityman Miguel Rojas, who tied the game with a clutch ninth-inning homer off Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman.

But the true cornerstone of the Dodgers’ championship run was 27-year-old ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Named World Series MVP, Yamamoto started Game 6 - allowing just one run over six innings to force Game 7 - and then returned the very next night to throw 2⅔ scoreless innings in relief, sealing the title.

Yamamoto became the 11th Dodger to win World Series MVP honors and just the fifth pitcher to do so, joining Johnny Podres (1955), Larry Sherry (1959), Sandy Koufax (1963, 1965), and Orel Hershiser (1988). He’s also the first pitcher to earn the award since Stephen Strasburg in 2019.

Kershaw bows out a champion

The Dodgers’ triumph also marked the end of an era, as legendary left-hander Clayton Kershaw retired after 18 seasons. A three-time Cy Young winner and 2014 NL MVP, Kershaw finishes his career with three World Series rings and over 3,000 strikeouts. He made one final postseason appearance in Game 3, recording a crucial out in extra innings.

How the Dodgers rebuilt for a repeat

From the outset of the 2025 season, the Dodgers had one goal: defend their title. They doubled down on their aggressive roster-building strategy, investing heavily in free agency to bolster an already elite squad.

The biggest splash came with the signing of two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell, who joined on a five-year, $182 million deal, with $62 million deferred. The team also locked down versatile infielder Tommy Edman, extending him for five years at $74 million, with a club option for a sixth year and a $17 million signing bonus.

Perhaps the most intriguing addition was Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki, who arrived from the Chiba Lotte Marines after four standout seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball. Sasaki’s electric stuff drew interest from multiple MLB teams, but the Dodgers won the sweepstakes, adding yet another ace to their rotation.

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