Will Smith has garnered plenty of the press clippings over the last week — and rightfully so.
The Los Angeles Dodgers star catcher was an iron man during the World Series, setting an MLB record for most innings caught (73) in a seven-game series.
He wasn’t the only one who spurred the team to its ninth World Series title. While the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto have received plenty of praise for the run, there were also two unheralded members of the team making major contributions throughout October.
Noel Sanchez of Dodgers Nation caught up with Smith at the newest Raising Canes in Hollywood on Wednesday morning. Smith was meeting and greeting fans, and even worked the drive-thru window for a period of time.
When asked about how important it would be to see Miguel Rojas and Kiké Hernandez return given their current free agent status, the multi-time All-Star gave a very declarative statement on how much the duo means to the ballclub.
“Those are two guys who are leaders on the team that contributed a lot this year. [Rojas] home run, [Hernandez] what he does. It’s more than that. You see it off the field, you see it in the clubhouse from those guys. Personally, I’d love to have them back. I know I’m sure we’re going to be trying to get them back. Love those guys and hopefully they’re back with us next year.”
It goes without saying, but Hernandez is a postseason monster. Objectively among the best in the history of the game during the fall period of the year, Hernandez became an every-game starter for the team despite a very rough regular season. Whether it be clutch hits or timely plays in the outfield, Hernandez was hugely important.
The same can be said for Rojas. As the Dodgers often preach, when a player’s number is called, it’s time to perform. Rojas came into the lineup prior to Game 6 and made an unbelievable play on the twin killing that ended the contest.
For good measure, in Game 7, he hit arguably the most significant home run in the history of the franchise given the spot in the game (ninth inning) and the situation (down 4-3 with two outs remaining in the team’s season). Rojas then fired a strike to narrowly clip a Blue Jays’ runner at home plate in the bottom half of the ninth to ultimately send the game to extra innings.
Rojas has already told Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain that he’d like to play one last year for the Dodgers before retiring. Hernandez has been signing one-year deals presumably with the goal only staying in LA. While the team does want to get younger, it’s very difficult to envision a scenario where next year’s team doesn’t feature either player.
More news: Dodgers’ Will Smith Reacts to Game-Winning Home Run in World Series Game 7
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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9 Responses
Rojas will be back. Bring back JT instead of Kike.
Kike is more versatile. JT is ready for retirement, maybe comes back to the Dodger organization in some coaching or special assistant capacity.
Stay with the current roster.Kike, Rojas,Muncy should be back.
Thankfully, Mr. Dodger is not the GM. They picked up the option on Muncy, so he’ll be back. Agree they hopefully bring back Rojas and Kike, as both played big roles in securing the WS championship.
JT can still sign a contract to retire as a Dodger.
That’s reasonable, but different than what you said: “Bring back JT instead of Kike.” I mean, it’s not like they’ll ask either one of us, but Kike is still a valuable player and gets better in the playoffs (as we just witnessed again). So personally, I hope they bring him back.
Kiké is one of those players the Dodgers get a boost from in October. I think the team should bring back Kiké and Miguel Rojas, both show veteran leadership and have experience in the playoffs. Plus, Kiké has earned a reputation for being a star in October.
Chemistry is that all-so-important ingredient that makes so many WS champions what they are. Kike, Muncy, Rojas are all part of that chemistry, so don’t break that up, or perhaps better said….don’t try to fix what isn’t broken.
Resign them both.Please Dodgers ..Both are great leaders for the Blue!