Miguel Rojas’ wife had a strong feeling about his performance as the season drew to a close.
After the Dodgers edged the Blue Jays 5-4 in Game 7 of the World Series, manager Dave Roberts shared an interesting tidbit. Rojas’ wife, Mariana, a major source of support, predicted he would hit a game-tying home run during the crucial ninth inning.
“It’s quite amusing, actually. I heard this story just before I took the stage. She told him he would hit a home run in the World Series, even when he wasn’t playing. She kept insisting, ‘Miguel, you’re going to hit a home run.’ He was like, ‘But, babe, you didn’t even play.’ He didn’t manage to hit a home run yesterday, but she told him again today, ‘You’re going to do it.'” Roberts explained on FOX.
The 36-year-old Rojas, who played in Saturday’s critical game at Rogers Center, had struggled at the plate, going hitless in five at-bats throughout the series.
However, everything changed in the ninth. As the No. 9 hitter, Rojas launched a home run off Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman, leveling the score at 4-4.
But Rojas’ impact didn’t stop there; he later hit another crucial homer in the bottom of the ninth, with catcher Will Smith heroically preventing Isaiah Kiner-Falefa from scoring what could have been the game-winning run.
Rojas commented, “I never stepped up thinking about hitting a home run in that moment.” This was his second term with the Dodgers, following the start of his career in 2014.
“I kept my focus and aimed for the fastball. I was determined to go after the first pitch. I really steadied myself and tried for something a little more. Then, when he threw me the slider, I just took a good swing,” he explained, as reported by The Athletic.
For the Dodgers, especially standout first baseman Freddie Freeman, there was no one more fitting to experience that moment than Rojas.
“Miguel has put in so much effort to help this team succeed. He plans to retire at the end of next season when he turns 36, and achieving that in Game 7 of the World Series is just unreal. He really saved the year,” Freeman noted, according to MLB.com.
As for Rojas, who is nearing free agency, he expressed hopes of retiring after the 2026 season.
