A bizarre and statistically improbable streak has captivated the baseball world: for five straight years, a player named Will Smith has been a member of the World Series-winning team. This unique phenomenon involves two distinct athletes who share the famous name, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ catcher and a veteran relief pitcher.
In a curious twist of fate that seems more like a Hollywood script than real-life baseball, the name Will Smith has become synonymous with World Series victory. Since 2020, a player bearing this name has been on the roster of the team that hoisted the Commissioner’s Trophy, a streak that extended to five consecutive years through the 2024 season and saw a Will Smith appear in the World Series for six straight years.
This remarkable run is not the work of a single athlete, but rather two distinct professional baseball players: Will Smith, the accomplished catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Will Smith, a seasoned relief pitcher who has crisscrossed the league to championship success. According to MLB.com, these two athletes have collectively secured rings every year since 2020.
The Dodgers’ Stalwart Catcher: Will Smith
Will Smith, the catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been a cornerstone of the franchise since his debut in 2019. The 30-year-old Louisville, Kentucky native has spent his entire career with the Dodgers, playing a pivotal role in their recent successes.
His contributions have led to two World Series rings for the Dodgers, first in 2020 and again in 2024. His consistency and impact on the field have made him an indispensable part of the team’s lineup.
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Will Smith
During the ongoing 2025 World Series, Smith has continued to demonstrate his prowess. In Game 2, he launched a crucial home run that helped the Dodgers tie the series 1-1 against the Toronto Blue Jays. His durability was put to the ultimate test in the epic six-hour and 39-minute Game 3, where he caught all 18 innings—four more than any other catcher in World Series history. He also set another record with eight plate appearances in that marathon game.
Manager Dave Roberts expressed his admiration for Smith’s resilience, telling reporters on Tuesday, October 28, “I texted him this morning and said, ‘How do you feel?’ He said he felt great, which I would expect that.” The catcher’s performance in high-pressure situations has been key to the Dodgers’ championship aspirations.
The Relief Pitcher’s Championship Tour: Will Smith
The other half of this incredible streak is Will Smith, the 36-year-old veteran relief pitcher. His path to World Series glory has been a testament to versatility and timing, as he achieved a remarkable feat of winning three consecutive titles with three different teams.
His championship journey includes:
- 2021: Atlanta Braves
- 2022: Houston Astros
- 2023: Texas Rangers
This unprecedented run saw him move from team to team, each time landing on a squad destined for the Fall Classic victory. Currently, Will Smith the pitcher is with the Kansas City Royals. However, his performance in 2024, with a 6.53 ERA and a 5.27 FIP over 45 appearances, suggests a more challenging outlook for his future contributions to the streak.
As a pending free agent for 2025, his market might be limited due to his age and recent statistics. Despite this, some speculate a “savvy team” might still consider signing him, given the peculiar 50 percent chance at winning the World Series that a Will Smith seems to bring.
The Peculiar Phenomenon and Its Implications
This consecutive run of World Series wins by players named Will Smith has sparked widespread discussion among baseball enthusiasts, with some humorously calling it the “new market inefficiency” in MLB. The Talkin’ Baseball podcast, among others, highlighted this odd statistical anomaly.
What makes this streak even more peculiar is that a Will Smith doesn’t necessarily need to be an all-star performer in the World Series to win. While Will Smith the pitcher maintained a respectable 3.38 ERA across his three championship appearances, Will Smith the catcher has a career batting average of only .143 with 13 strikeouts in 46 World Series plate appearances, although he did contribute two key home runs.
The statistical odds of two players with the same common name, playing different positions, consistently landing on championship teams for half a decade are astronomical, making this one of baseball’s most unique and entertaining coincidences.
The 2025 World Series: Can the Streak Continue?
As the 2025 World Series progresses, the spotlight remains on Will Smith the catcher and the Los Angeles Dodgers. After losing Game 3, 6-5, to the Toronto Blue Jays and then Game 4, 6-2, the series is set to return to Toronto for at least a Game 6 on Friday, October 31.
Game 5, scheduled for Wednesday, October 29, featured a pitching rematch between Toronto’s rookie Trey Yesavage and the Dodgers’ Blake Snell. The fate of the Will Smith winning streak for a sixth consecutive year now rests solely on the Dodgers’ ability to secure the 2025 title, particularly with Will Smith the pitcher currently a free agent.
The baseball world watches with anticipation to see if the remarkable Will Smith dynasty will extend its unprecedented run or if the quirky streak will finally come to an end.
