It’s been three months since Miguel Rojas played a pivotal role in the Dodgers’ success during the 2025 season.
Yet, the appreciation from fans is still pouring in.
“It was overwhelming,” Rojas shared. “Like in Italy, when I was on vacation this offseason, I would walk through the streets of Rome and hear Dodgers fans say, ‘Thank you for that home run.’ It’s just crazy.”
Certainly, the Dodgers saw many heroes on their path to a second consecutive World Series title last fall. Yoshinobu Yamamoto stood out as the World Series MVP, and Shohei Otani put on an interactive showcase. A lesser-known reliever, Will Klein, won Game 3 by delivering four scoreless innings, while Freddie Freeman and Will Smith clinched crucial wins with their game-winning home runs in Games 3 and 7, respectively. The list goes on.
But Rojas had moments that were particularly memorable and unexpected.
In the ninth inning of last year’s Game 7, the Dodgers found themselves down, with only two outs left, facing the grim possibility of losing their championship dream. Rojas wasn’t at his best physically, battling through a side injury that almost kept him out of that win-or-go-home game at Rogers Center.
But when Jeff Hoffman delivered a slider with two strikes, Rojas connected perfectly.
“I felt like everything happened for a reason,” he remarked three months later. “I was ready for that moment.”
His game-tying home run not only saved the Dodgers but elicited a stunned reaction from FOX broadcaster Joe Davis, who could only exclaim, “No way!” This unlikely hero—a rarely spotlighted infielder—transformed into a key figure in a team celebrated for its dominance, ultimately leading to them lifting the Commissioner’s Trophy and solidifying a modern dynasty.
“Now, I just have to deal with the aftermath,” Rojas joked.
On Saturday, Rojas felt that love again, receiving a thunderous ovation at the Dodgers’ Fan Fest at Chavez Ravine. With an emotional gratitude as he heads into what might be his final MLB season, he cherishes the connections he’s made with Dodgers fans both locally and globally during what he regards as a transformative offseason.
“What’s really significant is that so many people say it was one of the best moments of their lives and the best sporting events they’ve ever witnessed,” he noted. “That feels good because we were part of something greater than just a home run.”
Following his re-signing with the Dodgers for $5.5 million earlier in the offseason, Rojas asserted that he’s “not done yet.” Despite his heroics, he mentioned, “I need to keep proving myself and showing everyone I can still play.”
Looking ahead, he acknowledges a new contract that will let him stay within the Dodgers organization in a player development role after retirement.
“I want to be a coach, but maybe I’ll discover I’m good at other things too,” he reflected. “I’d like to coach a bit of everything, maybe get into TV or work in the front office with Andrew and the team. I want to learn from Doc about what the team and players value.”
For now, though, he’s reveling in the aftermath of that monumental home run—the one that not only rescued the Dodgers’ season but also elevated his status and brought him ongoing appreciation.
“I waited 20 years in professional baseball for that moment, and it comes at the end of my career,” he expressed. “My life has changed significantly, especially in how I’m perceived both in and out of baseball. Something different has shifted in my career and life. But I won’t shy away from that; it’s always been my dream… I’ll definitely cherish those moments forever.”
Dodgers Roster Updates
This week, the Dodgers made some important roster changes, selecting infielder Andy Ibáñez shortly after signing him to a $1.2 million free agent deal, and claiming outfielder Mike Ciani off waivers just two weeks after he was designated for assignment.
Ibáñez was expected to provide valuable infield depth as the season began, especially if Tommy Edman was still recovering from offseason ankle surgery. He may stay with the organization, but would need to clear waivers first.
Ciani is returning to the Dodgers after being designated for assignment in mid-January to accommodate Kyle Tucker’s contract. He was picked up by the Yankees but was quickly designated again just last week.
