The Los Angeles Dodgers in the United States, secured their eighth World Series title on Wednesday night, clinching their first championship since 2020 in a dramatic comeback against the New York Yankees.
Rallying from a daunting five-run deficit, the Dodgers crafted a Hollywood-style finish to a season of ups and downs, finally emerging victorious with a 7-6 win in Game 5 at Yankee Stadium.
Facing a hot start from the Yankees, Los Angeles found itself trailing 5-0 by the end of the fourth inning.
The Yankees’ offense erupted early, with Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. smashing back-to-back home runs in the first inning.
The powerful display marked the first back-to-back homers by the Yankees in a World Series game since Thurman Munson and Reggie Jackson achieved the feat against the Dodgers in Game 5 of the 1977 series.
New York’s momentum continued into the third inning when Giancarlo Stanton launched another homer, pushing the lead to 5-0 and sending Yankee Stadium into a frenzy. The home crowd, sensing a commanding win, was energized as Stanton’s towering blast shook the stands.
But the Yankees’ confidence began to falter in the fifth inning, when two costly errors opened the door for a Dodgers comeback.
Dodgers shortstop Tommy Edman hit a line drive to center field, which Judge misplayed, allowing a runner to advance.
Moments later, catcher Will Smith grounded to shortstop Anthony Volpe, whose throw to third base was late, letting all runners reach safely.
In a shocking turn, New York’s once-solid defense crumbled, and both Judge and Volpe were charged with errors.
With the bases loaded and no outs, Yankees ace Gerrit Cole showed resilience, striking out the next two batters and seeming to steady the ship.
But Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts capitalized on another Yankees miscue, hitting a slow grounder to first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Cole failed to cover first base, and Betts reached safely, giving Los Angeles their first run.
First baseman Freddie Freeman, who would later be named World Series MVP for his standout play, then delivered a two-RBI single to center.
A subsequent double by Teoscar Hernandez drove in two more, knotting the game at 5-5. All five Dodgers runs were unearned, underscoring the costly impact of the Yankees’ errors.
Despite the Dodgers’ surge, the Yankees momentarily regained the lead in the sixth inning when Stanton hit a sacrifice fly, putting New York up 6-5.
However, the Yankees’ reliever, Luke Weaver, could not hold off the Dodgers in the eighth. After loading the bases, he allowed consecutive sacrifice flies from Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux and Betts, giving Los Angeles a 7-6 edge.
Adding to the excitement, the Dodgers’ high-profile two-way player, Shohei Ohtani, reached base on catcher’s interference, though he had been limited in the series due to a shoulder injury sustained in Game 2.
Ohtani, who owns the largest contract in baseball history, remained on the roster but played a limited role in the series.
The Yankees weren’t ready to surrender, creating tension in the bottom of the eighth when Judge doubled and Chisholm walked.
But Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen, who had come in the inning before, managed to silence the crowd. Treinen got Stanton to fly out and then struck out Rizzo, extinguishing New York’s last significant threat.
Finally, in the ninth inning, Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler made an unexpected appearance.
Fresh off a season comeback following Tommy John surgery, Buehler defied the odds and took the mound on short rest. In a clutch performance, he retired the Yankees in order, striking out left fielder Alex Verdugo to seal the Dodgers’ World Series win.
Reflecting on their last title in 2020, a season marred by the pandemic with no traditional parade, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts celebrated with fans in the Bronx, asking, “Yeah! Who wants a parade?!” The team announced a parade for Friday, ready to celebrate with Los Angeles in full force.
