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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 appear that way in their own clubhouse.
The Dodgers had to travel more than 2,000 miles to Toronto, whose Blue Jays fans were starving for their first Fall Classic victory in 32 years, knowing that a loss would end their season.
For the first time all year, everyone doubted the powerful Dodgers.
Well, everyone except the Dodgers themselves.
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Will Smith of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the 11th inning during Game 7 of the 2025 World Series at Rogers Center, Saturday, November 1, 2025, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photos by Rob Tringali/MLB via Getty Images)
“Just keep fighting, man. Keep believing in each other, keep trusting each other and know that the job isn’t done,” World Series hero Will Smith told PK Press Club Digital in a recent interview. “Before Toronto, the crowd was definitely a home court advantage for them, but we were ready, we knew it was a fight and we came out on top.”
Emotions were running wild after their wild victory in game six, which ended on a double play from Kike Hernández to Miguel Rojas. But it made for a Game 7 where anything can happen – and it all happened.
The Blue Jays took a 3-0 lead thanks to a three-run goal from Bo Bichette. Shortly after, the benches cleared after Andres Gimenez was hit by a pitch. The Dodgers hit three solo shots, including one in the ninth by Rojas and another in the 11th by Will Smith.
Between those last two homers, Isiah Kiner-Falefa was thrown out by an inch at home, Andy Pages, a defensive replacement, literally crushed Hernandez to 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 like a hell of a monkey had been taken away from them.
“It was crazy. Miggy hit it early to tie it in the ninth, I hit that one. I was excited, we’re celebrating all of this,” Smith said.
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith reacts after hitting a home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the 11th inning of Game 7 of the 2025 World Series at Rogers Centre. (Nick Turchiaro/Imagn Images)
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“But the guys are in the dugout, ‘We still have to get three more outs, it’s not over yet. Let’s get this over and done with.'”
With Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s MVP performance, they did it. Twenty-four hours after going six innings in Game 6, Yamamoto, the highest-paid pitcher in sports history, showed why he was worth every penny, even though he had yet to throw a pitch in the major leagues when he signed his $325 million contract.
In fact, Smith even said he would take Yamamoto over Kershaw to win a match.
“You have to go, Yoshi, now. He’s done with everyone right now. What he did in all those playoffs was incredible, 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 celebrations, from Toronto to Los Angeles. After the parade and stadium celebration on Tuesday, Smith threw another party at a local Raising Cane’s on Wednesday, and he’s enjoying every second of celebrating 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, November 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 lining up down the street,” he said from the chicken tender restaurant. “They’re the best. Millions of people came to the parade, filled the stadium, it was awesome. It’s cool, it’s been fun celebrating with everyone here. The city is so happy and excited, me too, and my teammates too.”
