Former Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Justin Turner praised the 2025 World Series between the Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays for its excitement and global impact. The seven-game series, won by the Dodgers, drew record viewership and helped grow the sport. Turner highlighted its dramatic moments and international appeal.
The 2025 World Series featured the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Toronto Blue Jays in a thrilling seven-game matchup that captivated fans worldwide. The Dodgers emerged victorious, marking their third World Series title since the start of the 2020s. This closely contested series included extra innings, walk-offs, a pinch-hit grand slam, four starting pitchers in one game, and crazy plays at the plate, making it one of the most exciting in recent memory.
Justin Turner, a former Dodgers infielder who played for the team from 2014 to 2022, reflected on the series' significance. During his tenure in Los Angeles, Turner earned two All-Star selections, posted an .865 OPS, and hit 156 home runs. He remains a fan favorite for his role in the Dodgers' successful era.
"I think it had a little bit of everything," Turner said. "It had extra innings, it had walk-offs, it had pinch-hit grand slams, it had four starting pitchers pitching in one game, crazy plays at the plate. It was just jam-packed, full of action."
Turner emphasized the series' broad appeal, noting fanbases from two countries—primarily the United States and Canada—and the influence of Japanese players on the Dodgers, effectively involving three nations. "Literally had two countries of fanbases watching. I think it was one of the highest-watched World Series in 30 years. Really, three countries, with all the Japanese players the Dodgers are employing. So it was just really good for baseball, really good for viewership. I think that World Series definitely helped grow the game, and I think that’s the point. We want to grow the game and we want to inspire young kids to fall in love with the game early, chase their dreams and hopefully they’re the ones playing in Game 7 of the World Series."
MLB data supports Turner's view: Game 7 was the most-watched MLB game globally since Game 7 of the 1991 World Series, averaging 51.0 million viewers in the United States, Canada, and Japan. Additionally, it drew 17.9 million international viewers, the largest audience abroad in World Series history.