Will Smith made two clutch plays in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Game 7 World Series win over the Toronto Blue Jays, including the game-winning home run in the 11th inning. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith put to reality exactly what every kid dreams about when they play in a Game 7 – he hit the game-winning home run.
The three-time All-Star catcher and multiple-time World Series champion is obviously no stranger to big games and big moments, having won the World Series twice prior to this year. However, the Dodgers won a seven-game World Series for the first time in this era, overcoming an early 3-0 deficit and a two-run deficit entering the eighth inning in their win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Their previous two World Series (against the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees) went six and five games.
That’s also not even mentioning Smith’s dramatic toe tap at home plate to force an out in the ninth inning to keep the game tied and forcing extra innings.
“Yeah, I know the toe tap was a little little closer than I thought,” says Smith in a one-on-one interview. “But glad the foot was down at the right time, not off the right time. The homer was crazy. I definitely remember these moments for forever.”
The Dodgers became the first team to win back-to-back World Series since the New York Yankees did it between the 1998 and 2000 seasons. Considering they have one of the highest payrolls in Major League Baseball – at slightly over $321 million, they’re just behind the New York Mets at $323 million – and all of the star talent you can dream of, it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see Los Angeles pull it off again in 2026.
While everyone associates the Dodgers with their big-name players such as Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts, it was their slightly lesser-known players such as Smith, Max Muncy, Miguel Rojas and Andy Pages who stepped up big.
Muncy hit the home run to bring the Dodgers within one run in the eighth inning, Rojas hit the game-tying homer in the ninth inning and Pages made the game-saving catch as a substitute while colliding with teammate Kiké Hernández.
All in all, it was a team effort that led to the Dodgers winning their third World Series in the past six seasons.
“They’re all different, obviously different teams,” says Smith when asked to compare all of the World Series teams he’s been a part of. “There’s obviously some familiar faces and all that. But each year, it’s a new challenge, a new team coming together with the guys, and each one is just kind of special in its own right.”
The Dodgers obviously went through their ups and downs during the 2025 regular season, posting just a 93-69 record – that was five games worse than the previous season – and racking up the third-best record in the National League.
They also went through a number of injuries with Clayton Kershaw not making his debut until May and Blake Snell not joining the active roster until August.
Despite the setbacks and the injuries, the Dodgers once again emerged victorious as the World Series champions by the end of the season.
“This year especially, we had such high expectations to win,” says Smith of what this year’s World Series means to him. “We battled through a lot this year, the guys getting injured, and just the battle. It’s a testament to these guys, how hard we fought all year, and achieved our goal.”
When asked if this World Series win is the sweetest of the three, Smith seems to be in agreement.
“Yeah, this is special,” says Smith. “Last year was incredible. We lost years before that, but in 2020, it was the first one since ’88 for the Dodgers. That was special. This one’s back to back. Just telling you, they’re each special and just trying to enjoy this one right now.”
Will Smith Raises $50,000 For Catching Up Foundation Through Raising Cane’s
Just days after leading the Dodgers to their third World Series in the past six years, Smith celebrated with fans at a local Raising Cane’s at Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. Raising Cane’s owner Todd Graves celebrated with Smith and donated a $50,000 check to his Catching Hope Foundation.
LA Dodgers catcher Will Smith (R) poses with Raising Cane’s CEO Todd Graves (L) during a celebratory World Series “shift” at Raising Cane’s on November 05, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Raising Cane’s)
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The Catching Hope Foundation was created in 2021 by Will and his wife Cara Smith. Catching Hope helps under-resourced children by giving them essential skills needed for leadership, self-advocacy and self-sufficiency. The donation will support the foundation’s programs when it comes to literacy, community-building efforts and physical fitness opportunities.
LA Dodgers catcher Will Smith works a celebratory World Series “shift” at Raising Cane’s on November 05, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Raising Cane’s)
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Smith also celebrated the occasion by serving Dodgers fans at the Raising Cane’s some food.
“It’s cool,” says Smith of Raising Cane’s donation. “Our Catching Up Foundation is pretty dear to us. We love being able to give back to the LA community and help kids that need it most, providing opportunities for them. This $50,000 from ‘Canes is super generous. We got some cool things planned for next year that this money will help us do and just provide more opportunities for these kids that don’t really get everything that we feel like they should.”