Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — Dodgers catcher Will Smith was filled with excitement after helping the Dodgers clinch the NL West with his game-winning rally, a two-run home run. Drenched in beer, Smith spoke about the importance of winning the division and how it felt to do so against a division rival. “It feels good. The first step is to win the West. It’s a good division with a bunch of good teams, so beating the Padres was great. It’s just fun to celebrate the whole season and get to this point,” he said.
Smith’s crucial hit in the seventh inning tied the game, sparking the Dodgers’ comeback. When asked if he knew it was gone off the bat, he replied confidently, “Yeah, I pretty much knew it was a good swing. I got into a hitter’s count, got something to hit, and tied it up.” His rare display of emotion after the homer highlighted just how much the moment meant to him and the team. “It means a lot to win the division. It was a big game, and we wanted to finish it tonight before heading to Colorado,” Smith said, adding that he wanted to fire up his teammates. “I just let the emotions go, tried to get the boys going, and that’s what happened.”
This wasn’t the first time Smith had celebrated in the Dodgers’ clubhouse, but it never gets old for him. “They’re always special. You can’t take it for granted. It’s a grind all year, so hopefully, we’ll be champagne showering a few more times this year,” he said, reflecting on the hard work it took to reach this point.
Celebrating in front of their home fans made the victory even sweeter, as it was the first time the Dodgers had clinched the division at home since 2018. “It’s huge. It’s in front of our fans, and they’ve stuck it out all year with us through the ups and downs. To celebrate with them and get the crowd going was pretty cool,” Smith said.
Despite losing the first game of the series, the Dodgers showed resilience, winning the next two to take the division title. “Just a lot of fight by these guys. We’ve been talking about that—showing a lot of grit. Losing the first one and then getting the next two was big to win the division,” Smith explained, highlighting the team’s determination.
When asked about wrapping up the division later in the season compared to previous years, Smith noted that clinching in the final week was just as meaningful. “It always means a lot, no matter when we wrap it up. That’s the goal,” he said. Each division title holds its own significance for Smith, despite the Dodgers’ consistent success. “It’s a new year. It’s fun every year, a new team. Obviously, there are a lot of returning guys, but it’s fun to celebrate with a new group every time.”
Smith also acknowledged the benefits of playing meaningful games leading into the postseason, as it sharpened the team’s competitive edge. “It’s always fun to be in those big, tight games against good teams. That’s what we’re going to face in the postseason, so it’s a good test. We still have that bye coming up, so it’s important to stay sharp and keep going,” he said.
Smith praised Walker Buehler‘s strong performance on the mound, recognizing how vital it was for the team’s victory. “He pitched really well. We needed him to step up, and he gave us five really strong innings. He just went out there, competed, mixed his pitches, and we needed that,” Smith said.
After Smith’s big hit, the mood in the dugout shifted as the Dodgers took control of the game. “It got everyone going, and we were able to tack on a few more, jump ahead 5-2, and put them away,” he said, describing how the team fed off the energy of his home run.
Winning 11 out of the last 12 division titles is no easy feat, and Smith credited the entire Dodgers organization for its continued success. “It’s a lot of people dedicated to winning. It starts at the top, and obviously, the players are the ones going out there and doing it, but there’s a whole support staff helping us each day,” Smith explained. “They do a lot of behind-the-scenes work that keeps us healthy and out there on the field. It’s meaningful for the whole organization, and it’s good to see it pay off.”
For Will Smith and the Dodgers, this division title is another step on the path toward their ultimate goal—a World Series championship.
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