When Baseball Drama Reached New Heights
The 2025 Major League Baseball season delivered everything fans could dream of—historic performances, heart-stopping drama, and an unforgettable World Series that will be remembered for generations. From the regular season’s remarkable achievements to an epic seven-game Fall Classic, this year reminded us why baseball remains America’s most captivating pastime.
Regular Season Excellence
The season showcased individual brilliance across both leagues. Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners etched his name in history books by launching 60 home runs—becoming just the seventh player ever to reach that milestone and setting new records for catchers, switch-hitters, and Mariners sluggers. His 125 RBIs paced the American League as he powered Seattle to their first AL West title since 2001.
In the National League, Kyle Schwarber exploded for 56 homers and led all of baseball with 132 RBIs, while Shohei Ohtani continued his otherworldly dominance with a franchise-record 55 home runs for the Dodgers and a league-leading 100 barrels. On the mound, Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes dazzled with a sub-2.00 ERA (1.97), becoming the first qualifying pitcher to achieve that mark since Justin Verlander in 2022.
The Milwaukee Brewers claimed the best regular season record at 97-65, marking the finest campaign in franchise history. Meanwhile, the Dodgers started 8-0—the best opening by a defending champion in MLB history—before hitting a rough patch mid-summer, posting their worst 54-game stretch under manager Dave Roberts. Yet they rebounded to capture their fourth consecutive NL West title.
The Toronto Blue Jays’ Magical Run
Perhaps no story captivated baseball more than the Toronto Blue Jays’ incredible journey back to prominence. After finishing in the AL East basement in 2024, the Blue Jays retooled by signing 41-year-old future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer to a one-year, $15.5 million deal—a gamble that would pay enormous dividends.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: Postseason Perfection
The son of a legend became a legend himself. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. put together the greatest postseason performance in MLB history, finishing with a record-breaking 1.289 OPS that surpassed Randy Arozarena’s previous mark. His dominance was breathtaking: eight home runs, 15 RBIs, and a .397/.494/.795 slash line across the playoffs.
Guerrero’s heroics began in the ALDS against the Yankees, where he crushed the first playoff grand slam in Blue Jays history—joining his father as the only father-son duo to both hit postseason slams. He followed with a masterclass in the ALCS against Seattle, hitting three homers with a 1.330 OPS over seven games to earn ALCS MVP honors and deliver Toronto’s first AL pennant since 1993.
In April, showing his commitment to Toronto, Guerrero signed a massive 14-year, $500 million extension—the third-highest salary ever paid to an arbitration-eligible player that season at $28.5 million.
Max Scherzer: The Ageless Warrior
“Mad Max” defied Father Time in spectacular fashion. After missing time early with a thumb injury and not returning until late June, Scherzer found his fountain of youth when it mattered most. Over his final four regular-season starts, he posted a 1.80 ERA across 25 innings, looking every bit the three-time Cy Young winner.
But it was October where Scherzer cemented his legacy. He became the first pitcher in MLB history to start a postseason game for six different teams when he took the mound in ALCS Game 4 against Seattle—earning the win after nearly a month without pitching. In the World Series, he made history again as the first pitcher to appear in the Fall Classic for four different franchises.
His crowning achievement came in Game 7, when at 41 years and 97 days old, he became the oldest pitcher ever to start a winner-take-all World Series game. Though Toronto ultimately fell short, Scherzer pitched into the fifth inning with grit and determination, showcasing why the Blue Jays had taken a chance on the veteran ace.
Bo Bichette’s Gutsy Return
The heart and soul of Toronto’s infield, Bo Bichette missed both the ALDS and ALCS with a sprained posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee suffered in early September. Facing free agency, Bichette had every reason to protect his health and future earnings.
Instead, he returned for the World Series—not even at his natural shortstop position, moving to second base to accommodate his injury. “I’ll risk it all,” Bichette declared, embodying the Blue Jays’ selfless team chemistry. His three-run homer in Game 7’s third inning gave Toronto a 3-0 lead and appeared to be the signature moment the two-time All-Star had dreamed of—until the Dodgers’ improbable comeback.
The Los Angeles Dodgers: Dynasty Confirmed
The Dodgers entered 2025 as heavy favorites and lived up to the billing—barely. After cruising through the regular season at 93-69 and sweeping Milwaukee in the NLCS, Los Angeles faced their greatest test against Toronto’s resilient squad.
A Game 7 for the Ages
November 2, 2025, will forever be remembered as the night baseball delivered one of its most thrilling World Series games. At Rogers Centre, 32 years after Joe Carter’s walk-off heroics, the Blue Jays seemed destined to reclaim glory.
Bo Bichette’s three-run blast staked Toronto to an early 3-0 lead against Shohei Ohtani, who struggled on short rest. When Andrés Giménez doubled home a run in the sixth to push the lead to 4-2, Toronto’s first championship in three decades felt inevitable.
But the Dodgers refused to surrender. Max Muncy homered in the eighth to trim the deficit. Then, with Toronto two outs away from victory in the ninth, veteran utility infielder Miguel Rojas—who had hit just one homer off a righty all season—launched a stunning solo shot off closer Jeff Hoffman to tie the game.
The drama escalated in the bottom of the ninth. The Blue Jays loaded the bases, but Rojas made a game-saving defensive play at home, stumbling as he fielded the ball yet still beating the runner by half an inch. One pitch later, Andy Pages collided with a teammate but held on for the catch at the wall.
In the 11th inning, Will Smith—who had caught all 73 innings of the series—crushed the first extra-inning home run in winner-take-all World Series history off Shane Bieber. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, pitching on zero days’ rest after a 96-pitch outing in Game 6, closed it out by inducing a double play with the tying run on third.
Yamamoto’s MVP Performance
The 26-year-old Japanese ace was unquestionable in his dominance. Yamamoto threw a complete game in Game 2, dominated through six innings in Game 6, then returned the next day to deliver 2.2 scoreless innings for the save in Game 7—throwing 130 pitches over two days. His three wins and heroic efforts earned him World Series MVP honors.
Back-to-Back Champions
The Dodgers became the first team to win consecutive World Series titles since the 1998-2000 Yankees, cementing their status as baseball’s newest dynasty. It marked their third championship in six years and second consecutive title, achieved despite adversity at every turn.
For manager Dave Roberts and stars like Mookie Betts (his fourth ring), Shohei Ohtani (second in two years with LA), and retiring legend Clayton Kershaw (who contributed in relief during the epic 18-inning Game 3), the victory validated their extraordinary organizational excellence.
A Season to Remember
The 2025 MLB season will be remembered for its perfect blend of individual brilliance and collective drama. From Raleigh’s 60 homers to Guerrero’s record postseason, from Scherzer’s ageless excellence to Yamamoto’s heroic stamina, baseball delivered moments that transcended statistics.
The Blue Jays, despite falling two outs short, proved that chemistry, heart, and resilience can match even the deepest pockets in baseball. Their journey from basement dwellers to World Series contenders exemplified everything great about the sport.
And the Dodgers? They confirmed what many suspected: this isn’t just a championship team—it’s a dynasty for the ages, built on star power, organizational depth, and an unyielding will to win.
As the confetti settled in Toronto and the Dodgers celebrated another title, one truth became crystal clear: 2025 gave us a baseball season we’ll never forget. Only 143 days until another opening night.