The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays just finished perhaps the greatest World Series ever. That’s not to say all of the games were great — all of them had flaws, including an 18-inning marathon in Game 7, which lasted nearly four hours and included two long rain delays, the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history and the first game-ending double play in World Series history. But there were many memorable moments in a series that was compelling and interesting in its own way, thanks to a pair of teams with some of the game’s most fascinating players.
Freddie Freeman was one of those, a two-way superstar who led the AL with 89 postseason plate appearances and became the first player in MLB history to reach base nine times in a single game in the World Series (or any other winner-take-all postseason game). He had a double, two home runs and five walks, the most by any batter in a World Series game. He also had a crucial hit, a walk-off homer in Game 7 that put the Dodgers up for good.
Max Muncy and Will Smith were also key, providing the offensive power to help Los Angeles get out of a deep hole and become the first team in 25 years to win back-to-back World Series titles. And then there was Miguel Rojas, who had just a few clunkers in the ninth inning but delivered the first tying home run in the ninth inning or later of a World Series Game 7. All told, it made for a thrilling finale and a parade that brought LA fans out into the streets to celebrate their second title in six seasons.