In a moment that will be etched in baseball history, Andy Pages of the Los Angeles Dodgers made a catch for the ages during Game 7 of the 2025 World Series, ultimately securing a championship victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. The dramatic play unfolded at Rogers Centre, where Pages, a late-game defensive substitution, collided with teammate Enrique Hernández to snag a fly ball that seemed destined to win the series for the Blue Jays.
A Pivotal Substitution in the Ninth Inning
With the score tied and bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made an unconventional move by calling Pages off the bench to replace Tommy Edman in center field. Roberts emphasized that the decision was based on Pages' strong throwing arm, aiming to prevent a potential game-winning hit. "Honestly, I thought he had the best arm," Roberts explained. "And so, if there's a medium fly ball from Daulton Varsho, I thought he gave us the best chance to prevent us from losing the game."
The Collision That Changed Everything
Pages, who had been batting a mere .078 in the postseason, was positioned in short left field when Ernie Clement hit a deep fly ball. Hernández, playing shallow in left, appeared unable to make the catch, leading to a high-speed collision between the two outfielders. In a receiver-defensive back style impact, Pages stretched his arm above Hernández's body, miraculously holding onto the ball despite the violent contact. "I got to the ball," Pages recalled. "I didn't see Kike. I didn't know if I could hang on to it. I didn't really know I caught it at first."
Reflections on a Historic Moment
Following the catch, Pages expressed mixed emotions about his newfound fame. While downplaying his role as a hero, he acknowledged the significance of the play. "I think I'll be known forever for that moment," he said, adding that he has watched the replay only about ten times since the World Series win. The 25-year-old outfielder emphasized that he was simply doing his job when called upon, noting, "I didn't decide where to play. They told me where I had to play."
Manager Roberts on the Series' Legacy
Returning to Rogers Centre for a regular-season game, Roberts reflected on the intense atmosphere of the World Series. "I don't feel as much anxiousness as I did the last time I was here," he admitted. "To come back here with the stakes as high as they were in October feels different." He praised the event as a boon for baseball and Canada, stating, "The energy around the ballpark, the idea that there was 50 million eyeballs on us, I thought it was great for the country of Canada. Game 7 was one of the great games of all time."
The Dodgers' Championship Formula
Pages' catch was just one of several key moments that propelled the Dodgers to victory. A home run from journeyman Miguel Rojas in the top of the ninth and a series-winning homer from Will Smith also contributed to the win. Roberts highlighted how these little moments, rather than sheer financial power, defined the team's success. "This is why the Dodgers are the Dodgers. Money didn't win them the World Series. Little moments did," he said.
As the new season progresses, Pages has emerged as a more prominent figure, recently earning National League Player of the Week honors. His catch, while distinct from legendary grabs like Devon White's in 1992 or Willie Mays' in 1954, stands as a nearly impossible play that shifted the series' outcome. "There's great joy in what happened here," Pages concluded. "I don't know if I'll be known for the catch. What I do know: I was on the right side of history."
