The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays to win back-to-back World Series titles, celebrating with a parade in downtown Los Angeles on Monday. Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto's performances were pivotal, highlighting Japanese players' contributions. Shohei Ohtani waved to fans alongside his wife Mamiko.
The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2025 World Series, securing the franchise's first back-to-back titles. Yoshinobu Yamamoto's dedication as a pitcher proved crucial in an era where roles are increasingly specialized between starters and relievers. Named series MVP, he became the second Japanese player to earn the honor, following Hideki Matsui in 2009.
Yamamoto's performances were exceptional. He pitched a complete game in Game 2, allowed one run over six innings in Game 6, and in the clinching Game 7, took the mound in the middle of the ninth inning despite pitching the day before, holding the opponents scoreless through the 11th. He notched three wins in the series. The unforgettable 18-inning Game 3 saw him warming up in the bullpen late, just two days after a complete game. "It felt like I was a little kid again playing baseball," Yamamoto recalled.
Shohei Ohtani returned to two-way play, hitting three home runs and striking out 10 batters in a single National League Championship Series game. Pitcher Roki Sasaki also provided stable postseason pitching. These Japanese players' efforts underscored their high caliber and propelled the Dodgers to the top.
On Monday, a parade in downtown Los Angeles drew thousands of fans lining the streets. Ohtani waved to the crowd from a double-decker bus next to his wife Mamiko. Series MVP Yamamoto joined the celebration. "There is no greater experience than sharing the joy with everyone in a parade," Ohtani said.
During his time with the Orix Buffaloes, Yamamoto led the league in wins, ERA, winning percentage, and strikeouts for three straight seasons, winning the Sawamura Award three times and driving three consecutive Pacific League championships. However, he missed much of his MLB rookie season last year due to a right shoulder injury, fueling his extraordinary determination this year.