Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith. Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Dodgers World Series win continues wild championship trend

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Oct 31, 2024 11:42 AM ET

Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman deservedly was named Most Valuable Player after Los Angeles won the World Series over the New York Yankees, 4-1, on Wednesday.

As important as Freeman was to the series win, he wasn't the Los Angeles player with the most valuable name.

Dodgers catcher Will Smith kept a wild World Series trend intact by making the 2024 Fall Classic the fifth consecutive where a Will Smith has won the championship.

Smith previously won the 2020 World Series with the Dodgers, while relief pitcher Will Smith won the World Series in 2021 (Braves), 2022 (Astros) and 2023 (Rangers).

It’s been a good five years to be named Will Smith in MLB pic.twitter.com/YMNnJWmvb6
— ESPN (@espn) October 31, 2024

Smith struggled at the plate, finishing the five-game series 2-for-18 (.111) with three strikeouts, making his name his most valuable contribution to the winning effort.

The rest of the league should try to join the Will Smith trend. Fortunately for Los Angeles, it signed Smith to a 10-year, $140 million extension after the team's two-game series in Seoul against the Padres to start the season, keeping him with the Dodgers until 2033.

Pitcher Smith had his best playoff performance in 2021 with the Braves when he threw 11 shutout innings, recording six saves.

He pitched for the Royals in 2024 and is a pending free agent.

Smith, 35, went 0-4 with a 6.53 earned run average (ERA) in 2024. His best days might be behind him, but any team interested in winning the World Series could use him as a good-luck charm.

Or, the Dodgers can wrap the 2025 title by signing the veteran left-hander at the start of free agency.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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