Copyright newsweek
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto was named Most Valuable Player of the World Series on Saturday. Yamamoto pitched the final 2.2 innings of Game 7 without allowing a run on Saturday after starting Game 6 on Friday and pitching six innings and allowing only one run in the Dodgers’ eventual 3-1 win. More news: Dodgers, Blue Jays Benches Clear in Game 7 of the World Series The Dodgers’ $325 million pitcher received the award on a stage with commissioner Rob Manfred, manager Dave Roberts, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, general manager Brandon Gomes, and chairman Mark Walter. Yoshinobu Yamamoto has won the:2019 Premier122021 Tokyo Olympics2022 Japan Series2023 World Baseball Classic2024 World Series2025 World SeriesAt 27 years old, he is already one of the winningest players in world baseball history. 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/grPv5EJ7gw— Shawn Spradling (@Shawn_Spradling) November 2, 2025 The Dodgers defeated the Blue Jays 5-4 in 11 innings, becoming the first back-to-back World Series winners since the New York Yankees in 1999 and 2000. Yoshinobu Yamamoto with the gutsiest pitching performance ever.World Series G2: 9 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 8 K, WWorld Series G6: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 6 K, WWorld Series G7: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 K, WHe is the undisputed World Series MVP. He is the best pitcher on the planet. pic.twitter.com/rioncu7vq3— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) November 2, 2025 “Yama’s the goat,” an enthusiastic Roberts said on the stage. More news: Why Did the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Get Extra Time to Warm Up in Game 7? Yamamoto also started Game 2 of the series and tossed a complete game — a rarity for the postseason — and allowed only one run in the Dodgers’ 5-1 victory. Yamamoto was the winning pitcher in three of the Dodgers’ four wins in the World Series. TORONTO, ONTARIO – NOVEMBER 02: Yoshinobu Yamamoto #18 and Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate with teammates after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in game seven of the 2025 World Series at Rogers Center on November 02, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) “I did everything I was supposed to do, and I was so happy I was able to win this with this team,” Yamamoto said through his interpreter after receiving the award. The Dodgers signed Yamamoto to a 12-year, $325 million contract in December 2023 — the most money ever given to a pitcher — before he had even thrown a competitive inning outside of Japan. More news: Dodgers Make Decision About Shohei Ohtani Starting Game 7 of World Series Since then, he’s been worth every penny. Yamamoto led the Dodgers in the regular season with 30 starts, 173.2 innings pitched, 201 strikeouts, 12 wins, and a 2.49 ERA. It was a mere prelude to a superlative October. Yamamoto is the 9th pitcher to pitch in a postseason game the day after pitching 6+ inningsHis 2 2/3 IP are the most of those 9 in that second gameh/t @EliasSports https://t.co/Ure7z9Ly7n— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) November 2, 2025 After never starting a game on fewer than five days’ rest from March to September, Yamamoto threw 34 pitches to close out Game 7 at the Rogers Centre one day after he threw 96 pitches in his Game 6 start. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Yamamoto is the ninth pitcher to pitch in a postseason game the day after pitching six or more innings — but the first to throw at least 2.2 innings in the second game. For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.
