MLB La Novena: Yamamoto, Ohtani and Dodgers’ message to the rest of MLB

ByDavid Mitchell
MLB La Novena: Yamamoto, Ohtani and Dodgers' message to the rest of MLB

THE WORLD SERIES IS OVER in the best way. In a Game 7 with the most unexpected protagonists: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Miguel Rojas, Andy Pagés and Will Smith. Except for Yamamoto, you could say that the “middle class” of the Los Angeles Dodgers saved the billionaires and led them to another conquest. The supporting actors were prepared for when their opportunity came. When it arrived, they didn’t waste it. But what made this series monumental was that both teams played at a very high level. They showed in full color how baseball is played at its best. Game 7 was the perfect summary. Daulton Varsho’s miraculous fielding in center field, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s catch to end the inning, the solo home runs to tie and decide, Miguel Rojas’ play to force the out at home, Andy Pages’ miracle in the ninth… there was everything, even “magic” with the dead ball in Game 6. But contrary to what usually happens in this type of definitions, this time there was no scapegoat, the one that everyone blame for the defeat. On this occasion, the best player simply won in a World Series that many thought would end in four games in favor of the Dodgers and finally ended as one of the most spectacular Fall Classics in history. (– Hiram Martínez)

2. Miguel Rojas, the unexpected hero

THE VENEZUELAN Miguel Rojas was the savior of the Dodgers in the World Series. Together with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, MVP of the World Series, he was key in giving the Los Angeles team its second consecutive commissioner’s trophy. From the miraculous catch of Enrique Hernández’s throw in Game 6 to complete a double play, to the home run to tie Game 7 in the ninth inning to the force out at the plate to prevent the Blue Jays’ winning run. Rojas withstood the pressure and against all odds emerged as a key figure in the victory. It is very easy to talk to Monday’s newspaper, but Dave Roberts, coach of the champions, said after the game that the only person who knew that Rojas was going to be vital in the victory was the player’s wife. According to Roberts, she told her husband that she was going to hit a home run in the World Series. To which the player replied that he wasn’t even playing. She even said she was going to hit him in Game 7… well, it happened and the rest is history. (Does she have any premonitions about the Power Ball numbers?)

3. The message from the champions Dodgers to MLB

THE JAPANESE They are not known for being very talkative. On the contrary, they tend to be very direct and precise. And Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani seem to fall into that stereotype. At least that is the feeling I got when with very few words in English they let the entire MLB know what the Dodgers’ goal is in the 2026 season. Loud and clear was their message.

4. John Schneider, a strategist of respect

THE JUST CONCLUDED World Series had two managers who showed great qualities as strategists. Dave Roberts, now two-time champion, and John Schneider, in his first appearance in the Fall Classic, were up to the task. Practically everything has been said about Roberts, but this time Schneider deserves a special mention, who, at 45 years old, emerges as an intelligent manager, with personality and with enough composure to execute the necessary movements at the right time. He resurrected Toronto, a team that in 2024 was last in its division and this year was two outs away from winning the title for the first time in 32 years. Schneider stood out for several key moves in the Fall Classic: he handled the starting pitching neatly, even when trying to remove Max Scherzer from the mound; He brought in his ace Louis Varland in times of pressure; he measured the performances of rookie sensation Trey Yesavage; Defensively, he showed skill in putting Isaiah Kiner-Falefa on second base and in using Myles Straw when speed on the bases and guarantees in fielding in left field were required. He made adjustments due to George Springer’s injury and it worked when he put Nathan Lukes or Davis Schneider first in the order. The World Series was decided by home runs and certain breaks defensive, but it cannot be considered that there has been a failure in the direction of the helmsman who aims to be one of the protagonists of the Big Top in the seasons to come. (— Vania B. Ravelo)

5. Another championship ring for a certain Will Smith for the 6th year in a row

OF THOSE RARE THINGS In sports, for the sixth consecutive year since 2020 the same name, but which belongs to two different people, has won the Major League World Series championship ring. Dodgers catcher Will Smith (William Dills Smith) won his third Fall Classic in six seasons and joined left-handed reliever Will Smith (William Michael Smith) with three rings, the difference being that the pitcher won two on the field and another pitching alone in the regular season. The catcher won in 2020 against the Tampa Bay Rays, repeated in 2024 against the New York Yankees and now in 2025 against the Toronto Blue Jays. The pitcher won the crown in 2021 with the Atlanta Braves against the Houston Astros, in 2022 he did not participate in the playoffs and won the ring with the Astros that they beat the Philadelphia Phillies, while in 2023 he returned to the field and won with the Texas Rangers over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Without a doubt, Will Smith’s name will be remembered as the winner of six consecutive World Series rings, and be careful that there are seven in 2026. (— Ruben Castro)

6. What 500 million dollars can “buy” you

AT THE BEGINNING OF THE spring training, the big question on many minds was whether we were going to witness Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s final season with the Blue Jays. 500 million dollars later, and with the campaign just over, that question changed to another idea: “that was the best decision the team could have made.” Not only did the Blue Jays retain the biggest star likely to have emerged from their minor league system, but they also showed, after losing in bids for Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto, that they are not afraid to spend money when the situation calls for it. Guerrero Jr. repaid their bet with a highly productive season, followed by historic playoffs that will remain in memory for a long time, despite the team losing to the Dodgers in the World Series. If this is the “trailer” for the rest of his career, the Blue Jays had the deal of their lives. As we say in the Dominican Republic: “money does not buy happiness, but it leaves you two corners away from it.” (— Juan A. Recio)

7. Mexican Kirk in the final photo, but on the wrong side

THE RECEIVER Alejandro Kirk, from Tijuana, of the Toronto Blue Jays, had the best postseason for a player born in Mexico of all time, however, the last shift – which could have taken him to glory and left him in hell – failed and history decided that the Dodgers would win the first two-time championship in half a century. Kirk could have been the Most Valuable Player of the World Series, he had the numbers to be so, but he didn’t give that hit that would have given Toronto its first title in 32 years – I’m sure he would have changed the eight he gave in the Fall Classic, for that one that would have been golden. He could not portray himself as the left-handed pitcher from Sinaloa Julio Urías did in 2020 with the same Dodgers when he got the last out and saved the title game against the Rays – a game that, by the way, Nayarit reliever Víctor González won. He could not join the photo of the victory and complete game of Sonoran rookie Fernando Valenzuela in 1981 with the same Dodgers in J3 against the New York Yankees. Or the photo of the impeccable relief of Aurelio López from Puebla in the sixth game that he won and gave the crown to the Detroit Tigers in 1984. Nor to Jorge Orta from Mazatlan in 1985 in the controversial safe who was out at first base in the ninth inning of Game 6 and lifted the Kansas City Royals against the St. Louis Cardinals to win the World Series in the seventh game. (— Ruben Castro)

8. Big shots in free agency

THE WORLD SERIES FINISHED This Saturday, November 1, it will be five days for free agents to sign with their new teams if they have already reached a satisfactory negotiation. There will most likely be few that are already arranged and many of them will agree with their new teams at the Winter Meetings that will take place this year in Orlando, Florida. Within the large list of free agents, names such as Kyle Tucker stand out, who is said to be wanted by several clubs, such as the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and the two-time champion Dodgers. Tucker is a right fielder of proven quality, champion in 2022 and holder of a Gold Glove in his eight seasons in the Majors, all with the Houston Astros, with the exception of the recent one he played with the Chicago Cubs, who in the 2023 season was the leader in runs produced, with 112. Another of the big fish in free agency is Kyle Schwarber, who is on the radar of the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Phillies and Cubs, a club with which He began his career in 2015 and with whom he was for six seasons, including the 2016 title. Without a doubt, he is one of the great offensive pieces of the Phillies, with whom he has just signed the full role of 162 games in which he led the National League departments of home runs (56) and runs produced (132). Other high-impact players who will go to free agency are: Bo Bichette, from the Blue Jays, Alex Bregman, from the Red Sox, Framber Valdez, from Houston, Cody Bellinger, from the Yankees, Pete Alonso, from the Mets, and Ranger Suárez, from the Phillies. Let the betting begin. (— Vania B. Ravelo)

9. Did we see Bo Bichette’s farewell in Toronto?

YOU HAVE TO REMOVE hat to Bo Bichette. He was out of action for more than a month due to a knee injury, but returned to become one of the most important catalysts of Toronto’s offense during the World Series, including his three-run homer off Shohei Ohtani in Game 7. Now Bichette becomes a free agent, and the reality is that, with a market value that exceeds $23 million per season, according to the Spotrac portal, and in search of a multi-year mega contract, the odds are that Toronto can retain his services, after committing $500 million to Guerrero Jr., are low. If this was Bo Bichette’s farewell to Toronto, both he and the organization and the fans can feel satisfied with the time shared and what his time with the franchise represented.

David Mitchell
David Mitchell

As a passionate sports journalist with over a decade of experience, I strive to uncover the heart and soul behind every game. Supported by a dedicated team of fellow enthusiasts and storytellers, I am committed to delivering insightful and engaging content that connects fans worldwide. Together, we celebrate the victories, challenges, and unifying spirit of sports through every article we craft.