The Los Angeles Dodgers eliminated the New York Yankees to capture their eighth World Series championship in franchise history.
In doing so, it represented the fifth consecutive season that a player named Will Smith was part of the World Series-winning team.
The streak began in 2020, when the Dodgers defeated the Tampa Rays to capture their first title since 1988. That represented Smith’s first full MLB season, although it featured a shortened schedule due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Then in 2021, the relief pitcher by the same name won the World Series as a member of the Braves. It was the left-hander’s first time playing in the Fall Classic after making his MLB debut during the 2012 season.
Smith went on to win the next two World Series with the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, respectively, giving him three championships in his career.
The 35-year-old’s streak of winning three consecutive World Series championships was snapped this year when the Rangers did not even so much as reach postseason.
That opened the door for the Dodgers’ Smith to win his second World Series title. L.A. finished with the best record in baseball en route to eliminating the San Diego Padres, New York Mets and Yankees on their World Series journey.
Smith enjoyed an All-Star season as he batted .248/.327/.433 with 24 doubles, 20 home runs and 75 RBI in 128 games. He struggled mightily in the second half but hit a home run in each of the Dodgers’ three postseason series.
If a Will Smith wants to win again in 2025, it seems the Dodgers will be the best chance at that as they are already the favorites. However, a team has not repeated as winners since the Yankees won three-straight World Series titles from 1998 to 2000.
That is 24 straight seasons where a team has failed to repeat, the longest streak in MLB history and the longest such stretch of any of the four major North American sports.
Will Smith’s home run against Braves’ Will Smith
Smith made MLB history when he homered off the relief pitcher of the same name when the Dodgers faced the Braves in the 2020 National League Championship Series.
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