Just wanted to note some observations I took for the thrilling 2025 World Series. Cliches used when it comes to baseball: “classic”, “one for the ages”, etc. are overwrought. These words are put to use by sports broadcasters and writers who want to make the routine seem epic. And let’s be honest, most World Series are fairly routine. But then there are a few memorable ones. Quick! Name a World Series you remember and what made it so memorable?
I will give you two in this century:
- 2004: Boston Red Sox rallied in the American League Championship Series when they were down three games to zero against the New York Yankees. Boston faced elimination then turned around and four straight ACLS games to advance to the World Series. That ACLS series was the one featuring Curt Schilling and his bloody sock. The Red Sox then went on to beat the St. Louis Cardinals in four games straight in the World Series. This was their first World Series win since 1918, breaking the Curse of the Bambino.
- 2016: Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) vs. the Chicago Cubs. The last World Series won by the Cubs was in 1908, and they hadn’t even been to the Fall Classic since 1945. The Indians, by contrast, last won the Series in 1947. The Series went seven games and was tied 6-6 at the end of nine innings. In the tenth inning, Chicago scored two runs to make it 8-6. Cleveland scored one run at the bottom of the tenth that was it: Chicago 8, Cleveland 7. Sadly for us Cleveland fans, the championship drought continues.
The 2025 World Series is memorable for the following reasons:
- It was the first time Toronto had been to the World Series since 1993.
- The Dodgers almost lost to a team with a far more modest payroll.
- The Dodgers were the first team to have back-to-back World Series wins since the New York Yankees in 2000.
But the big takeaway for me was the Dodgers’ grit and determination. They kept fighting the entire series. And in Game 7, when the Blue Jays took an early 3-0 lead, the Dodgers just kept fighting, slowly chipping away at the Blue Jays lead until ending the ninth inning tied at 4-4 with a solo home run by Miguel Rojas. Then, in the eleventh inning, Will Smith (not that Will Smith) hit a two-out solo home run to make the score 5-4. Toronto was not able to answer and the game ended.
The moral of the story here is that no matter how hopeless is may seem, never give up! Keep fighting until the end.
And, finally, as we enter the bleak winter months, let us hold out for the promise of spring. Opening Day 2026 (March 25) is 143 days away.
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