In a nail-biting World Series Game 7, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in 11 innings, marking their second consecutive championship title. The victory, which took place at the Rogers Centre on March 16, 2024, was highlighted by pivotal moments, including a late-game home run by Will Smith and a dramatic tying homer from Miguel Rojas.
The game unfolded like a classic baseball drama, with the Blue Jays initially taking a commanding 3-0 lead thanks to Bo Bichette‘s third-inning home run off Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani. As the game progressed, the Blue Jays maintained their edge and appeared poised to capture their first championship since 1993. However, the Dodgers rallied, with Max Muncy hitting a solo homer in the eighth inning to narrow the score to 4-3.
With just two outs remaining in the ninth inning, Rojas, who had been brought into the lineup to provide a spark, connected on a full-count slider from pitcher Jeff Hoffman, sending the ball over the fence and tying the game. Rojas had not homered since September 19, making his contribution all the more significant.
World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto played a crucial role in the Dodgers’ victory, managing to escape a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the ninth. The tension reached its peak in the 11th inning when Smith hit a decisive home run off Shane Bieber, marking the first extra-inning homer in a winner-take-all title game. His swing provided the Dodgers with their first lead of the night, igniting celebrations among the team and its fans.
The game tied for the second-longest Game 7 in World Series history, lasting four hours and seven minutes. It was only the sixth winner-take-all Series game to go into extra innings, showcasing the thrilling unpredictability of baseball’s championship.
In the bottom of the 11th, the Blue Jays sought to mount a comeback. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled to lead off the inning and was advanced to third on a sacrifice. However, the Dodgers’ defense held strong, executing a title-winning 6-6-3 double play that ended the game. This moment marked the only the second double play to finish a World Series, following a similar play by the New York Yankees in 1947.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed pride in his team’s resilience, stating, “To do what we’ve done in this span of time is pretty remarkable.” This championship solidifies the Dodgers as the first repeat champions since the New York Yankees won three consecutive titles from 1998 to 2000.
The series was notable for its historical achievements, including the first pinch-hit grand slam, the first complete game in a decade, and a plethora of standout performances from both teams. The Dodgers’ victory adds to their storied legacy, marking their ninth championship and third in six years.
As the Dodgers celebrated their triumph, the Blue Jays were left to reflect on their near-miss. Players expressed their emotions in the aftermath, with Ernie Clement saying, “I’ve been crying for like probably for an hour. I thought I was done with the tears.”
The success of the Dodgers, bolstered by a roster valued at approximately $500 million, positions them for continued competitiveness in the coming seasons. Looking ahead, Freddie Freeman voiced optimism as the team gears up for future challenges, stating, “The Yankees are three-time back-to-back, so we get to use that same narrative next year.”
This World Series not only provided an unforgettable finale to baseball’s 150th major league season but also set the stage for an exciting future in the sport.
