Dodgers Catcher Will Smith Celebrated as World Series Hero After Game-Winning Blast

Dodgers catcher Will Smith, previously a 'silent assassin' overshadowed by stars, cemented his legacy by hitting the game-winning, extra-inning home run in Game 7 of the World Series. This historic 11th-inning swing, the first of its kind in a Fall Classic Game 7, transformed the three-time All-Star into an October legend. Smith led the Dodgers with six RBIs and a .267 average, catching all 74 innings—a Fall Classic record—and was considered a World Series MVP candidate. Praised by teammates and fans at a promotional event, the 30-year-old, who signed a 10-year, $140 million extension in March 2024, also made a crucial defensive play in Game 7. He built on a strong 2025 season where he posted career-highs of .296 AVG and .901 OPS.