Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 2025 World Series Mvp, Etches His Name Into Postseason Lore

Yoshinobu Yamamoto is now an October legend.

As a rookie, nan righthander helped nan Dodgers hit nan Yankees successful nan 2024 World Series pinch a value commencement successful Game 2. But successful 2025, Yamamoto took his heroics to a full caller level.

After throwing 96 pitches successful Game 6 connected Friday nighttime and helping nan Dodgers unit a Game 7, Yamamoto was seen warming up successful nan bullpen successful nan ninth inning of Game 7 1 nighttime later.

Even though Dodgers head Dave Roberts told nan media earlier nan crippled that Yamamoto would beryllium disposable if needed, first baseman Freddie Freeman could not judge what he was seeing successful nan ninth inning.

“When I looked astatine him successful nan bullpen warming up I said, ‘No way. Yoshi is doing it!’” Freeman said connected nan FS1 postgame show pursuing the Dodgers’ 5–4 triumph complete nan Blue Jays to clinch their 2nd consecutive World Series title. “And past he came successful and was firing darts; he had command. It was impressive.”

Yamamoto relieved Blake Snell successful nan bottommost of nan ninth pinch 1 out. After nan Blue Jays loaded nan bases, Yamamoto sewage retired of nan inning pinch a groundout and a alert out. He retired Toronto successful bid successful nan 10th, and successful nan 11th, Yamamoto allowed a azygous and double, but induced a game-ending double play to unafraid nan win.

Again, his gritty Game 7 capacity arrived 1 nighttime aft he allowed 1 tally and fanned six batters successful six innings Friday nighttime successful nan Dodgers’ 3–1 season-saving triumph successful Game 6. And let’s not hide astir his eight-strikeout complete crippled successful Game 2.

Yamamoto was officially crowned nan 2025 World Series MVP connected Saturday night. His head summed it up champion while taking nan microphone successful nan Dodgers’ postgame ceremony astatine Rogers Centre.

“Yamamoto is nan GOAT!” he yelled. “He’s nan GOAT! Yama’s nan GOAT!”

In 3 World Series outings, Yamamoto allowed conscionable 2 runs complete 17 2/3 innings—good for a 1.02 ERA—with 15 strikeouts and 2 walks. As highlighted by MLB statistician Sarah Langs, Yamamoto is nan first subordinate to triumph 3 games successful a azygous World Series since chap MVP Randy Johnson did it successful 2001—and conscionable nan 4th subordinate to gain a triumph successful some Game 6 and Game 7 of a World Series.

Legend.

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