Yoshinobu Yamamoto wins World Series MVP with historic ironman performance

Los Angeles Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the 27-year-old Japanese phenom in his second season with the team, won the 2025 World Series MVP award after anchoring a classic Game 7 that sealed the Dodgers’ second consecutive championship.

Yamamoto came in to pitch the final 2 2/3 innings for the Dodgers, recording one strikeout while giving up just one hit and a walk. He finished the game with a 1.45 ERA in the postseason. His performance Saturday came one day after he threw 96 pitches in Game 6.

“I was not sure if I could pitch tonight until I went to the bullpen, but I am glad I was able to,” Yamamoto said through an interpreter. “ … I did everything I was supposed to do, and I was so happy I was able to win with these teammates.”

A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME PERFORMANCE 🔥

YOSHINOBU YAMAMOTO IS THE @CHEVROLET #WORLDSERIES MVP pic.twitter.com/x3Hg71kzSM

— MLB (@MLB) November 2, 2025

Toronto had two runners on base and only one out when Yamamoto entered in the ninth inning, tasked with sending the game into extra innings. The Dodgers needed two more to take the lead and the win.

With Saturday’s closeout, Yamamoto, who tossed a complete game in Game 2 and pitched six innings in Game 6, became the 14th pitcher in history to win three games for his team in a single World Series. He is the first to do so since Randy Johnson in 2001.

“Yamamoto’s the GOAT!” chanted Dodgers manager Dave Roberts just before his team hoisted the Commissioner’s Trophy. Yamamoto’s teammates quickly joined.

Yamamoto pitched 17 2/3 innings across his three World Series appearances, allowing just two runs on 10 hits while striking out 15. His 37 1/3 innings on the mound this postseason left him with 33 strikeouts, two complete games and a .174 opponents’ batting average.

The Dodgers’ 2024 title made him the first player of any nationality to win a World Series, an Olympic gold medal and a World Baseball Classic. World Series MVP now joins that unmatched resume.