The Los Angeles Dodgers have won their ninth World Series championship, defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in a dramatic Game 7 that extended to 11 innings. The victory, sealed in the early hours of Sunday, November 2, 2025 (EAT), marks the first time in 25 years that a Major League Baseball (MLB) team has secured back-to-back titles, cementing the franchise's status as a modern dynasty.

The final game, held at Rogers Centre in Toronto, was a tense, back-and-forth affair. The Blue Jays, seeking their first championship in 32 years, held a lead for much of the contest. However, a stunning solo home run from Dodgers' infielder Miguel Rojas in the ninth inning tied the game at 4-4, pushing the contest into extra innings. Catcher Will Smith then delivered the decisive blow in the 11th inning with a solo home run, giving the Dodgers a lead they would not relinquish.

Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto was named the World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his exceptional performance. In a remarkable display of endurance, Yamamoto pitched in relief during Game 7 just a day after starting Game 6, securing the final outs to clinch the championship for his team. His performance throughout the series was pivotal to the Dodgers' success.

Celebrations in Los Angeles

The victory sparked widespread celebrations across Los Angeles. On Monday, November 3, 2025, thousands of fans lined the streets of downtown Los Angeles for a victory parade. Players, including international superstar Shohei Ohtani, greeted the crowds from double-decker buses. Ohtani, who had a memorable series with a .333 batting average, expressed optimism about the team's future, suggesting a potential "three-peat." The parade concluded with a ticketed rally at Dodger Stadium.

Global Reach and Kenyan Context

While Major League Baseball does not have a significant following in Kenya, the global appeal of American professional sports is growing. Leagues like the National Football League (NFL) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) have actively expanded their presence in Africa, including Kenya, through initiatives like talent identification camps and broadcasting agreements. The NFL, for instance, launched NFL Africa in 2022, with partnerships in Kenya aimed at building football infrastructure. Similarly, NBA Africa has seen a significant increase in viewership and social media engagement across the continent.

Baseball's development in Africa is still in its early stages but is present. There are baseball academies and programs in about 20 African countries, including Kenya. Efforts by organizations like the Japanese Africa Baseball Softball Foundation and non-profits have helped to introduce and grow the sport at a grassroots level. In 2016, MLB scouts held tryouts in Nairobi, offering a pathway for talented Kenyan and Ugandan players to attend an academy in South Africa. While no Kenyan has yet reached the major leagues, the Los Angeles Dodgers have signed players from Uganda and South Sudan to their developmental system, indicating a growing interest in African talent.

The economic impact of major sports leagues is substantial, with the global sports market projected to exceed $700 billion by 2026. The Dodgers' victory, for example, drew a massive television audience, with Game 7 being the most-watched World Series game since 2017, averaging nearly 26 million viewers across various platforms. This level of engagement translates into significant revenue from media rights, sponsorships, and merchandise, underscoring the immense commercial power of these global sporting events.

The Dodgers' historic win is a major event in American sports, but its broader significance lies in the continued global expansion and cultural influence of these powerful leagues. For Kenya and East Africa, while direct participation remains limited, the strategic investments by leagues like the NFL and NBA suggest a growing recognition of the continent's potential as a future market and talent source for a variety of international sports.