The Los Angeles Dodgers’ repeat World Series championship in 2025 came down to one of the most unexpected heroes imaginable. Veteran infielder Miguel Rojas, a defensive specialist known more for his leadership than his power, turned the tide of Game 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays — and possibly his own career.
With the Dodgers trailing 4–3 in the ninth inning and two outs from elimination, Rojas launched a game-tying home run off closer Jeff Hoffman. The Dodgers went on to win in extra innings, securing back-to-back titles and cementing the comeback as one of the most dramatic in franchise history.
“I hit the homer, right? And everybody’s kind of like on top of me, right there in front of the dugout,” Rojas recalled on Chris Rose Sports. “But then Shohei [Ohtani], he’s hitting next … and when he came back to the dugout, he told me, ‘Miggy, you can’t retire next year. You’re playing with me for 10 more years.’ I told him, ‘Shohei, I’m old … but I’ll play with you next year, for sure.’”
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As it turns out, that moment might have changed everything. Following the championship, Rojas — who had initially planned to retire after the 2026 season — made it clear he wants to return to Los Angeles for one final run, largely inspired by Ohtani’s encouragement.
“One of the coolest things that happened in my life,” Rojas said of that exchange. “Shohei came to me and said I can’t retire next year. That I have to play 10 more years.”
Rojas admitted that Ohtani’s plea to keep the team together resonated deeply. “I want to go back and play for the Dodgers. I think we deserve a chance to three-peat together,” Rojas told Dodgers Nation. “It is not about me getting money or getting the right deal or anything like that. It is about keeping the core together for one more year and giving us the opportunity to three-peat.”
One More Run for a Core Leader
Rojas, 36, quietly delivered a valuable 2025 campaign as a bench contributor and clubhouse stabilizer. In 114 games, he hit .262 with seven home runs and provided defensive versatility across the infield. His experience and leadership helped guide a roster balancing megastars like Ohtani and Mookie Betts with emerging talent such as Andy Pages and Gavin Lux.
While teams like the Yankees and Mets could use a steady veteran presence at shortstop, Rojas seems intent on finishing where he started — in Dodger blue. For a player who’s already written his Hollywood ending, one more year chasing history sounds like the perfect encore.