In an epic showdown that tested the limits of endurance and skill, the Los Angeles Dodgers edged out the Toronto Blue Jays in an 18-inning marathon during Game 3 of the 2025 World Series. The thrilling contest, held at Dodger Stadium, not only tied the record for the longest World Series game ever played in terms of innings but also featured historic individual performances, dramatic moments, and a gritty battle of wills that left fans and players alike emotionally spent.
The game was a relentless tug-of-war that stretched over six hours and 39 minutes, making it the second-longest World Series game by duration. The intensity and suspense kept spectators on the edge of their seats as both teams fought tooth and nail to gain the upper hand. The Dodgers’ first baseman, Freddie Freeman, emerged as the hero of the night, ultimately delivering the game-winning blow in the bottom of the 18th inning with a walk-off home run off Blue Jays reliever Brendon Little. Freeman’s homer sent the home crowd into jubilation and gave the Dodgers a 6-5 victory, putting them ahead 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.
Freeman’s heroics were the culmination of a night full of near-misses, resilience, and determination. Earlier in the game, he had driven deep balls into centerfield only to be denied by the Blue Jays’ center fielder Daulton Varsho, who made spectacular catches to keep the game alive. Freeman’s eventual home run was a moment of redemption and triumph, and it etched his name into the history books in more ways than one. He became the first player in Major League Baseball history to win two different World Series games with a walk-off home run, having previously ended Game 1 of last year’s World Series with a grand slam. Reflecting on this rare feat, Freeman described the experience as “kind of amazing and crazy,” highlighting the significance of achieving such a milestone in consecutive years.
While Freeman was the star at the end of the game, Shohei Ohtani of the Blue Jays put on a historic performance that dazzled baseball fans worldwide. Ohtani reached base nine times during the game, setting a postseason record and showcasing his exceptional talent. His offensive display included four extra-base hits — a feat not accomplished by any player in the World Series since 1906 — including two home runs. One of those homers tied the game in the seventh inning, momentarily shifting momentum toward Toronto. Ohtani’s extraordinary ability at the plate forced the Dodgers to walk him intentionally five times in a row, a testament to the respect he commands from opposing pitchers.
Freeman himself lauded Ohtani’s unique talent, calling him “a unicorn” and “a once-in-a-10-generational player,” sentiments echoed by fans and analysts alike. Despite his personal achievements, Ohtani remained humble, emphasizing the importance of the team’s outcome over individual accolades. Speaking through an interpreter, he noted that his performance was “in the context of this game” and stressed the need to “flip the page and play the next game.” As the game crossed midnight, Ohtani expressed his desire to rest, underscoring the physical and mental toll such an exhausting contest can inflict.
The offensive fireworks early in the game gave way to a prolonged period of defensive stalemate and pitching dominance. After Ohtani’s seventh-inning home run, no runs were scored for nearly four hours, as both teams struggled to capitalize with runners in scoring position. The combined 26 at-bats with runners on base in extra innings produced only four hits and 14 strikeouts, highlighting the pitchers’ mastery and the hitters’ frustration. This stalemate led to a historic accumulation of runners left on base—19 for the Blue Jays and 18 for the Dodgers—shattering the previous record for a single World Series game.
The sheer volume of at-bats was also unprecedented; the Blue Jays set a record with 67 at-bats in the game, with every position player stepping up to the plate. The intensity of the contest was further reflected in the baserunning, with six runners caught stealing or thrown out over the first ten innings, demonstrating the strategic and aggressive play on both sides.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts described the game as “one of the greatest World Series [games] of all time” and admitted to being emotionally drained by the end. The depth of the bullpens was tested to