In baseball, anything can happen, and if you don’t believe it, just show them one game to change their mind: Game 7 of the World Series.
In that legendary encounter, Miguel Rojas starred in one of those moments that remain forever etched in the history of the Dodgers.
The home run that no one saw coming in the World Series
It was the top of the ninth inning. The Dodgers were up against the wall against the Toronto Blue Jays in the decisive seventh game. With one out and the pressure on, Rojas stepped up to the plate with a clear mission: to get on base. But what happened next took everyone by surprise.
The shortstop worked the count full. On the seventh pitch, the closer left a slider in the danger zone. Rojas made solid contact and sent the ball over the left field bullpen. The stadium went silent. The broadcast captured the spontaneous reaction of announcer Joe Davis: “No way“.
Rojas confessed that this was exactly his reaction: “That is the first reaction, not only of him, but also mine. It was like, ‘it could be’“, said the Venezuelan.
The tie forced extra innings and later, another decisive hit ended up securing the championship for Los Angeles. But Rojas’ swing was crucial for this to happen.
An at-bat that turned Miguel Rojas into a better version of himself
Far from just staying with the emotion, Rojas explained that this at-bat became a technical and mental reference for him.
It’s a swing you’re always going to try to repeat. Not just the swing, but the whole at-bat. It taught me that I’m able to keep control, regroup and simplify things in the middle of the at-bat
For a player who has never been known for his power, the impact was even greater. In his major league career, Rojas has not been known for hitting home runs. That’s why the surprise factor made the historical dimension of the hit even greater.
Renowned analyst Tom Verducci had no hesitation in calling it one of the most shocking moments he has seen in a World Series.
The impact was not limited to the pitch. After the championship, Rojas experienced media exposure she never imagined. “It was a little overwhelming with everything that went on off the field,” she admitted.
Now with the new season on the horizon, the mission remains the same: to win. The Dodgers have kept their championship core intact and bolstered their roster in free agency, with significant investments once again cementing them as one of the heavy favorites.
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