Will Smith Wins Second World Series with Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their eighth World Series title by overcoming a five-run deficit to defeat the New York Yankees 7-6 in Game 5, marking their second championship in five seasons. Catcher Will Smith, a former Louisville standout, played a crucial role in the series, catching the final pitch and earning his second World Series ring despite a challenging postseason batting average of .143. Smith's remarkable journey includes maintaining strong ties with his college coach, Dan McDonnell, who emphasized Smith's persistent drive to improve. Interestingly, this World Series continued a streak of five consecutive championships involving players named Will Smith, with the other Smith being a pitcher who won titles in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Smith's performance in the series included key moments, such as a solo home run in Game 4 and crucial contributions throughout the postseason. Although he faced injuries and a tough batting average, Smith's resilience and skills have solidified his status as one of the premier catchers in Major League Baseball.