The Los Angeles Dodgers had no shortage of clutch moments to become baseball’s first back-to-back champions in a quarter century, but the moment that solidified their fate during one of the most memorable Game 7’s in MLB history was a two-out solo home run from Will Smith in the 11th inning.
Smith got to live out a scenario that many grow up envisioning of a Game 7, and when it was his moment, he made sure to make the most of it.
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“You dream of those moments, you know, extra innings, put your team ahead – I’ll remember that forever,” Smith said.
The All-Star backstop gave his team the first lead of the evening, and especially after the way his regular season ended, the colossal moment being his own couldn’t have been scripted any better.
Smith fractured his right hand on Sept. 3 after a foul ball made direct contact with him. He would play one more game a few days later, but was then moved to the injured list, shutting down his regular season.
The backstop was held out of the Wild Card round, but made his first appearance of the postseason during Game 1 of the NLDS and played each game since. He finished the postseason with a .276 batting average and a .777 OPS. He collected eight RBIs and a pair of home runs, both of which ocurring in the World Series (Games 2 and 7).
From Max Muncy’s solo shot in the top of the eighth inning to chip away at the deficit, to Miguel Rojas unleashing the game-tying home run with one out to go in the ninth inning (his first hit in a calendar month), to Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitching the final 2.2 innings of the game on zero days’ rest, Smith was the final piece to the puzzle and chose a perfect time to deliver the hit of his life.
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Photo Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images
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3 Responses
I have been a Dodger fan since childhood. I recall seeing the 1965 World Series the Dodgers and Twins on TV with my Grandfather in East LA. I went to a summer game in 1974 with my uncle Pete and watched Tommy John walk off the mound. He was having a great season 13-3 record at the time. He missed the rest of the season. And the following 1975 season as well.
I have been a Dodger fan since childhood. I recall seeing the 1965 World Series the Dodgers and Twins on TV with my Grandfather in East LA. I went to a summer game in 1974 with my uncle Pete and watched Tommy John walk off the mound. He was having a great season 13-3 record at the time. He missed the rest of the season. And the following 1975 season as well. This is my first comment here.
Been a Dodgers fan since Brooklyn…..
Congrats on 2025 World Series. Had hoped for Mariners/Dodgers series. Maybe next year……!