Will Smith World Series timeline, explained: How Dodgers’ 2024 title keeps lopsided MLB streak alive

On By Littum

Winning the World Series isn’t easy. You have to stay healthy, get hot at the right time and limit the amount of mistakes you make. Plenty of players will go their entire careers and never make it to the Fall Classic, much less win it.

Teams looking for postseason success can try different tactics. They can try to strengthen their farm system and develop their own players. They can make splashy offseason signings or find important upgrades at the season’s trade deadline.

Another tactic that has worked for the past five years has been fairly simple, but much more niche: Create someone named “Will Smith.”

Let’s take a look at the success of this latest trend.

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The Will Smith World Series Timeline, Explained

When you think of the name Will Smith, not in the context of baseball, your mind probably goes to the actor. He sets the bar pretty high for the name, but when you think about it through a baseball lens, the actor doesn’t come close to touching two prominent Will Smiths in the game.

One is a lefty reliever whose career is winding down. The other is the Los Angeles Dodgers catcher. Combined, one of these Will Smiths has been on the World Series winning roster for the past five years.

In 2020 and now 2024, catcher Will Smith hoisted the World Series trophy with the Dodgers. The southpaw pitcher, meanwhile, won World Series in 2021, 2022 and 2023 as a member of the Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros and Texas Rangers.

MORE: How Freddie Freeman led the Dodgers to a championship

How many Will Smiths are there in MLB?

It feels like it would be a pretty common name, but there are only two Will Smiths in MLB.

One Will Smith is a left-handed reliever who has been in the league since 2012. He originally came with the Kansas City Royals, but has since spent time with the Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants, Braves, Astros and Rangers. The pitcher spent 2024 back with the Royals and enters 2025 with 114 career saves over his career.

Catcher Will Smith was a first-round pick by Los Angeles in 2016. He was first brought up to the majors in 2019 and has been the starting catcher for the Dodgers ever since. Smith now has two World Series rings and 111 career home runs.

MORE: What’s next for Shohei Ohtani after World Series triumph over Yankees

Is Will Smith a free agent?

The pitcher is a free agent. It remains to be seen whether he will continue to play as he turns 35.

Smith had an 0-4 record with a 6.53 ERA with Kansas City this year. Teams will likely want the added depth of a veteran southpaw, but if Smith signs a new deal, it would likely be for a minor league deal with the chance to earn a promotion.

MORE: Ranking the top 25 MLB free agents, from Juan Soto to Corbin Burnes

Catcher Smith signed a 10-year contract with Los Angeles ahead of the 2024 season. He is under contract with the team until 2033, when he will be 38 years old.