Shohei Ohtani won his first World Series title on Wednesday as the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied to defeat the New York Yankees 7-6 in Game 5.

It was the Dodgers’ first World Series championship since 2020 and the eighth in franchise history.

Los Angeles Dodgers players celebrate after clinching the MLB World Series with a 7-6 win over the New York Yankees in Game 5 on Oct. 30, 2024, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Aaron Judge hit the first of New York’s three home runs of the night as the Yankees built a 5-0 lead in the first three innings.

Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees hits a two-run home run off Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty in the first inning of Game 5 of the MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium in New York on October 30, 2024. (Kyodo) = =Kyodo

But the Dodgers took advantage of the Yankees’ defensive mistakes by scoring five runs in the fifth to tie the score at five. Gavin Lux and Mookie Betts each hit sacrifice flies in the eighth to give the Dodgers the lead for good at Yankee Stadium.

“I’m so happy with this great end to the season,” Ohtani said. “My teammates are great as players and as people. So many people came all the way to see our games and I’m grateful for that.”

The Japanese two-player, who suffered a left shoulder subluxation when caught stealing in Game 2, went hitless in four at bats and finished the series without an RBI.

The Dodgers and Yankees, the former neighbors and rivals, faced each other in the World Series for the first time in 43 years.

Ohtani celebrated with fellow “Big Three” members Betts and Freddie Freeman, as well as Japanese teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who joined the Dodgers on a $325 million, 12-year contract, making him the highest-paid pitcher in the MLB history was.

Yamamoto was the winning pitcher of Game 2 after allowing just one hit, a solo home run to Juan Soto, over 6-1/3 innings.

Freeman was named World Series MVP when he became the first player in history to homer in six consecutive World Series games, dating back to his trip to the Fall Classic with the Atlanta Braves in 2021.

Before Game 5, former Yankees outfielder and 2009 World Series MVP Hideki Matsui threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers last December, the largest contract in sports history.

On September 19, Ohtani became the first Major League Baseball player ever to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season.

Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani flies out in the third inning of Game 5 of the MLB World Series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York on October 30, 2024. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani swings out against New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole in the fifth inning of Game 5 of the MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium in New York on October 30, 2024. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole flies out Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani in the first inning of Game 5 of the MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium in New York on October 30, 2024. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Shohei Ohtani (2nd from right) of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates as the team reaches the World Series with a 7-6 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 5 at Yankee Stadium in New York on October 30, 2024. (Kyodo)

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