Saturday’s Game 7 finale of the World Series feels like a distant memory already in our news cycle which turns over almost as fast as we can blink, but seeing as I blogged my way through the Series, it felt weird not to tie a bow on things. Better late than never, eh? Here are seven thoughts on the epic Game 7 (and the Series as a whole) before I wait too long and it’s weird to post about it:

First, as many pundits are already stating – that has to go down as one of the best World Series in the modern era, maybe ever, and certainly as of late. With the exception of Game 1 where the margin of defeat was unforeseen and unexpected, the series was razor-thin close on every level. The Dodgers season was saved by Will Smith’s singular cleat remaining on home plate for goodness sake! The Series had records set, high drama, and an entertainment value second to none. So great for baseball as it struggles to remain in the American consciousness and compete with football’s ever growing hold, etc. Just a great showcase of the game.

Second, more than the win by the Dodgers was impressive, the loss for the Blue Jays was devastating. Truly, it was one of those series which embodied the syrupy adage “it’s a shame someone has to lose this thing” and, indeed, losing games 6 and 7 at home will haunt that Jays roster for the rest of their lives. Blowing the save in the top of the 9th inning and then having the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th with only 1 out and failing to score just can’t happen. At the same time, they had their chances, and as the wild plays kept stacking up it did begin to feel as if the baseball gods had chosen the Dodgers. Just too many things were happening that made one feel the Blue Jays were battling Fate.

Third, gotta tip the cap to Dodgers like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who rightfully earned the World Series MVP. I believe Shohei Ohtani went into the series with the best odds to win MVP, only for another of his countrymen to be the one eventually awarded, and again rightfully so. The guy was a wizard, a weapon, a wonder on the mound. Personally, I think Dodgers catcher Will Smith has a strong case to be the MVP runner-up. He caught the entire series, including the 18-inning Game 3, and hit the go-ahead homer that eventually won the Dodgers game 7. The dude is baby-faced but nails. 

Fourth, I was torn in having two, beloved former Marlins in the Series (three if you count Tanner Scott, but I don’t in this instance. Key word: beloved), on opposite sides: Don Mattingly as bench coach for Toronto and Miguel Rojas as a Dodgers infielder. 

Beginning neutral, as the series progressed, I found myself rooting ever so slightly for the Blue Jays for many reasons:

Unless my team is in it, I like parity in any sport and never root for repeat champs; 

The Dodgers are very likable but its still hard to get excited about the team that can and does buy every available superstar; 

I like seeing home teams win as the fan experience and TV experience is more fun (who wants to see a stadium of sad people?); 

And out of the aforementioned Marlins, Rojas got his ring last season with the Dodgers, whereas Mattingly has yet to. 

This desire for Donnie Baseball to get his ring kept me pulling for the Jays, but alas, that desire was denied because of that other former Marlin, Rojas, who did the most unbelievable and unexpected thing and homered in the top of the 9th in Game 7 to even the score. The same Rojas who was hitless in the series coming into Game 7. The same Rojas who hadn’t homered since September. The same Rojas who has never been known for his hitting, but whose always been liked and respected for his glove, his gamesmanship, his savvy, and his veteran baseball leadership and IQ and so while it was gut-wrenching for the Blue Jays, and while it wasn’t my preferred outcome, it was hard not to be excited for Miggy. Dave Roberts hands on his head in disbelief said it all as Rojas sat on that hanging slider from Hoffman and sent it over the left field wall. Honestly, dipping back into Marlins lore, the homer was very reminiscent of Alex Gonzalez’s walk-off home run in Game 4 of the 2003 World Series to give Miami the win over New York, Gonzalez himself being a light-hitting, unexpected, slumping short stop known for defense and yet with one swing shocked the world.

Fifth, I remarked to a friend the other day that my series-opening, all-in-good-fun jokes about Dave Roberts did not age well. Whether it was sticking with Miguel Rojas, as referenced above, or subbing Pages into centerfield in the 9th which allowed him to make the CRAZY catch over Kiki Hernandez to save the Series, Roberts managed Game 7 to perfection. Yes, it’s easy to play the results now, and yes, a bit of luck is always required, but that’s a given in baseball managing. All that being known and said, Roberts pulled all the right strings. Kudos to him. 

Sixth, gotta feel bad for Jeff Hoffman blowing the save in Game 7, and yet it always felt like the Blue Jays bullpen was playing with fire. Hoffman surrendered a concerning number of home runs during the regular season and never looked like a lights-out closer. It’s really hard to win in the postseason when the pressure is ratcheted up to a breaking point without a guy in the back of the bullpen who can SLAM the door shut on innings. Hoffman never looked like that in his save opportunities, the Blue Jays bullpen relied too heavily on breaking balls, and both of those dynamics reared their ugly heads at the absolutely worst time when Hoffman’s slider was slapped just far enough into the Toronto night by the aforementioned and unlikely hero, Miguel Rojas. 

Seventh, great series for the “every-man” MLB players. Max Muncy (our resident auto technician) and Davis Schneider (our resident water softener system installer). One of my favorite past times when watching America’s past time is trying to identify make-believe alternative careers for players based on their appearance or persona, and this one kept delivering. I’m still trying to decide if another of our bespectacled characters – Dodgers’ Kiki Hernandez – is the general sales manager at the same dealership where Muncy works in the service department – or if he’s the techno DJ who advertises on his car and works the wedding reception circuit. Or, maybe both? General Sales Manager at the auto mall by day and DJ by night and weekends? I’ve got the offseason to figure that out…

Speaking of there are 97 days and counting until pitchers and catchers report to 2026 Spring Training. Until then.