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The panic meter was high in Los Angeles after the Dodgers fell to a 3-2 World Series deficit at home, but it didn’t show as such in their own clubhouse.
The Dodgers had to fly more than 2,000 miles to Toronto, whose Blue Jays fan base was starving for their first Fall Classic win in 32 years, knowing a loss would end their season.
For the first time all year, everyone actually doubted the powerhouse Dodgers.
Well, everyone except the Dodgers themselves.
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Will Smith of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after hitting a go-ahead solo home run in the 11th inning during Game 7 of the 2025 World Series at Rogers Center on Saturday, November 1, 2025, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Rob Tringali/MLB Images via Getty Images)
“You just keep fighting, man. Keep believing in each other, keep trusting each other and know the job’s not done,” World Series hero Will Smith told Pakinomist Digital in a recent interview. “Going into Toronto, the crowd was definitely a home advantage for them, but we were ready, we knew it was a game and we came out on top.”
Emotions ran high after their wild win in Game 6, which ended on a double play from Kike Hernandez to Miguel Rojas. But it led to a Game 7 where anything can happen – and everything did.
The Blue Jays jumped out to a 3-0 lead thanks to a three-run blast from Bo Bichette. Soon after, the benches were cleared after Andres Gimenez was hit by a pitch. The Dodgers chipped in with three solo shots, including one in the ninth by Rojas and another in the 11th by Will Smith.
In between the latter two home runs, Isiah Kiner-Falefa was thrown out at home by an inch, Andy Pages, a defensive replacement, literally ran over Hernandez to make the catch and save the season, and even the Dodgers squandered their own opportunity in the 10th.
After Smith’s home run, he and his teammates clearly felt the monkey was off their back.
“It was crazy. Miggy hit it earlier to tie it up in the ninth, I was able to hit it. I was fired up, we celebrate all that,” Smith said.
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith reacts after hitting a home run against the Toronto Blue Jays in the 11th inning of Game 7 of the 2025 World Series at Rogers Centre. (Nick Turchiaro/Imagn Images)
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“But guys are in the dugout, ‘We’ve still got three more outs, it’s not over yet. Let’s get it done and get this done.'”
With Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s MVP performance, they did. Twenty-four hours into six innings in Game 6, Yamamoto, the highest-paid pitcher in the sport’s history, showed why he was worth every cent despite not yet pitching in the big leagues when he signed his $325 million contract.
In fact, Smith even said he would take Yamamoto over Kershaw to win one game.
“You’ve got to go Yoshi, now. He’s above everybody right now. What he did this whole postseason was amazing and we definitely couldn’t have done it without him, that’s for sure,” he said.
“I would totally trust Kersh too.”
It’s been half a week of celebration, from Toronto to Los Angeles. After the parade and stadium celebration Tuesday, Smith had another party at a local Raising Cane’s on Wednesday, and he’s enjoying every second partying with the Dodgers faithful.
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (16) picks up pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series at Rogers Center on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
“We had the parade the other day, it was amazing, Cane’s is packed, people are lined up down the street,” he said of the tender chicken. “They are the best. Millions came to the parade, filled the stadium, it was amazing. It’s cool stuff, it’s been fun to celebrate with everyone here. The city is so happy and excited, so am I and so are my teammates.”
