The Los Angeles Dodgers' Cuban outfielder, Andy Pagés, emerged as a pivotal hero after making an extraordinary catch that kept his team in the running during the decisive Game 7 of the World Series. His pivotal play thwarted the Toronto Blue Jays' championship hopes and extended the game into extra innings.
Throughout the initial nine innings, Pagés saw little action. However, his defining moment arrived when manager Dave Roberts opted to replace Tommy Edman with Pagés in center field during a critical juncture: bases loaded, two outs, and the Dodgers trailing in the bottom of the ninth.
Toronto led 4-3 and was just a hit away from clinching the title. Then, batter Ernie Clement sent a towering fly ball towards left-center field, seemingly out of reach.
With more than 40,000 fans packed into Rogers Centre ready to celebrate, Pagés dashed across the field, making a breathtaking catch that stunned the Canadian crowd and kept the Dodgers' hopes alive.
Ultimately, the Dodgers triumphed 5-4, capturing their second consecutive championship.
A Journey from Struggle to Triumph
This play marked a significant redemption for Pagés, who had struggled offensively throughout the postseason. He entered the game with a mere .080 batting average, tallying just 4 hits in 50 at-bats, with one RBI and two runs scored.
Despite his modest offensive stats in the World Series (1 hit in 15 at-bats), Pagés' defensive brilliance at the critical moment altered the course of the championship.
With this victory, Pagés joins an elite group, becoming only the second Cuban-born player to earn two World Series rings in his first two MLB seasons, following Orlando "El Duque" Hernández (1998-1999).
Cuban Pride in MLB History
With this triumph, Andy Pagés, hailing from Pinar del Río, continues to etch his name among the most successful Cuban players of the new MLB generation.
His performance echoes the success of Orlando Hernández, who also secured consecutive titles in his inaugural seasons with the Yankees in the late '90s.
The young Cuban, who made his Dodgers debut in 2024, has established himself as a crucial component of a star-studded franchise, with his stunning catch already considered one of the most unforgettable moments in modern World Series history.
A single play, a leap, an instant. Andy Pagés once again proved that the heart of Cuba beats strong on the Major League Baseball diamond.
Key Moments in Andy Pagés' World Series Performance
How did Andy Pagés contribute to the Dodgers' World Series victory?
Andy Pagés made a crucial catch during Game 7, preventing the Toronto Blue Jays from winning the championship and helping the Dodgers push the game into extra innings, ultimately leading to their victory.
What was Andy Pagés' offensive performance like during the postseason?
Pagés struggled offensively in the postseason, with a batting average of just .080, but his defensive play in the World Series was pivotal.
Who is the other Cuban player to win two World Series in his first two MLB seasons?
The only other Cuban-born player to achieve this feat is Orlando "El Duque" Hernández, who won titles in 1998 and 1999 with the New York Yankees.