Yoshinobu Yamamoto Leads Dodgers to Epic World Series Victory

The baseball world stood in awe as Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered a postseason performance for the ages, etching his name into Los Angeles Dodgers lore and the grandest stage in sports history. On a night thick with tension at Rogers Centre, the Dodgers—backs against the wall, trailing for most of Game 7—summoned a comeback for the ages, culminating in a heart-stopping 5-4 victory in the 11th inning. At the heart of this dramatic triumph was none other than Yoshinobu Yamamoto, whose relentless spirit and steely nerves earned him the 2025 Willie Mays World Series Most Valuable Player Award. Yamamoto, a right-handed pitcher standing 5-10 and weighing 176 pounds, has already proven himself a generational talent since joining the Los Angeles Dodgers in December 2023 on a colossal 12-year, $325 million contract. Born in Bizen, Japan, on August 17, 1998, Yamamoto had dominated in Japan before bringing his artistry to the Major Leagues. His transition was seamless—he finished his first MLB season with a 7-2 record and a 3.00 ERA, striking out 105 batters in 90 innings. But it was his postseason heroics that elevated him to superstardom. Across the 2025 World Series, Yamamoto cemented his reputation as the ultimate big-game pitcher. He started with a dazzling complete game in Game 2, striking out eight and allowing only four hits to the power-packed Blue Jays lineup. His World Series line was a masterpiece: 3 games (2 starts), 1.02 ERA, 17 2/3 innings, 10 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, 15 strikeouts, and a minuscule 0.68 WHIP—securing three wins, a feat no pitcher had matched since Randy Johnson in 2001. Notably, Yamamoto pitched the final 2 2/3 innings of Game 7 on zero days’ rest, just a day after starting Game 6, and with the Dodgers’ season on the brink, he walked a tightrope in the ninth—loading the bases before wriggling out with two outs that sent Dodgers fans into euphoria. Yamamoto’s journey to MLB stardom was paved with accolades. In Japan, he led the Orix Buffaloes to multiple Pacific League pennants and Japan Series championships, earning three consecutive league MVPs and the rare Japanese Pitching Triple Crown. He shone on the international stage, guiding Team Japan to Olympic gold in Tokyo and a World Baseball Classic title, achievements that made his arrival in Los Angeles one of the most anticipated in recent memory. Now, as the Dodgers clinch back-to-back World Series titles, Yamamoto’s legend grows. His ability to perform under the brightest lights—whether tossing seven scoreless innings against the Yankees, or gutting out critical outs in extra innings—has elevated him to a rare echelon among pitchers. With 306 career strikeouts and counting, and still just 27 years old, the world waits to see how high Yamamoto can soar. For live stats, highlights, and more on Yamamoto’s meteoric rise, visit his MLB.com player profile. To follow his journey and connect with fans, you can also find him on Instagram (@yoshinobu__yamamoto).