TORONTO -- Will Smith caught every inning of a Fall Classic that went 18 frames in Game 3 and 11 innings in Game 7. In total, the Dodgers backstop was behind the plate for 73 innings -- the most by any catcher in World Series history.

But when he strode to the plate with two outs and the bases empty in the top of the 11th inning, none of that seemed to matter.

Smith’s focus was singular. He worked a 2-0 count against Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber, then got the pitch he was looking for. A slider that hung over the heart of the plate. Smith unloaded a ferocious right-handed swing. Moments later, the Dodgers had a 5-4 lead in the 11th inning of Game 7 of the World Series. They would win by that score .

“You dream of those moments,” Smith said. “Extra innings, put your team ahead.

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