Dodgers and Blue Jays Greet Resolution on World Series Game 7 Home Plate Incident

A new MLB report reviews a key play at the plate involving the Dodgers’ Will Smith and Blue Jays’ Isiah Kiner-Falefa in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series.

In what has become one of the most scrutinized moments in Major League Baseball, a controversial play during Game 7 of the 2025 World Series continues to spark debates. Involving the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith and Toronto Blue Jays’ Isiah Kiner-Falefa, the sequence has drawn extensive analysis and speculation among fans and players alike.

Questions abound: Should Kiner-Falefa have taken a larger lead off third? Why did the Blue Jays’ third base coach mark a line in the dirt at that moment? What if Kiner-Falefa had sprinted home instead of sliding?

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider reflected on the incident, stating, “I’ll think about it until the day I leave this earth.” The play was a heartbeat away from potentially changing the outcome of the championship.

However, the official MLB report clarifies the situation. The drama surrounding Smith’s foot leaving the plate was ultimately inconsequential; Kiner-Falefa was ruled out before any ambiguity could factor in. According to the report, “After reviewing all relevant angles, the replay official definitively determined the catcher’s foot was touching the plate when the ball contacted the interior of his mitt.”

This detail redefines the narrative around Kiner-Falefa’s crucial run; rather than centimeters, the distance was more accurately about three feet.

In his remarks at a World Baseball Classic practice session, Smith shared his surprise upon seeing the replay. “I never felt my foot come off. I didn’t really realize it was close until I saw the replay, so I wasn’t trying to go back and touch it,” he said.

MLB Statcast measurements put Kiner-Falefa’s center of mass approximately five feet away from the plate during the critical moment. Schneider noted the confusion surrounding the play, stating, “I’ve seen that video 3,000 times and 1,500 of them it looks like Will is off the plate. You know what I mean?”

Kiner-Falefa, who recently signed with the Boston Red Sox, also addressed the situation at his introductory press conference. He has faced criticism for a conservative lead off third base during the game, commenting, “Didn’t realize that it was actually going to be that close of a play. If I was a step further, yeah, I would have been safe. But I wasn’t.”

As the game progressed, Rojas hit a solo home run in the top of the ninth, tying the game at 4-4. The Blue Jays then loaded the bases, with Kiner-Falefa pinch-running for Bo Bichette. When Daulton Varsho stepped to the plate, third base coach Carlos Febles marked the distance Kiner-Falefa should take for his lead, which many believed to be shorter than ideal due to concerns over a potential pickoff throw from Smith.

The final play saw Varsho hitting a ground ball that disrupted Rojas momentarily, but he recovered to make a precise throw home. As Kiner-Falefa slid, Smith’s foot briefly lifted from the plate before making contact again. The umpire ruled Kiner-Falefa out, a decision later upheld by the replay officials.

While fans assumed the play hinged on Smith’s foot returning to the plate, the official report clarified that Kiner-Falefa was out well before that moment. Following this intense stretch of action, Smith contributed a home run in the 11th inning, securing the Dodgers’ second consecutive championship.

In reflecting on the play, Smith credited Rojas’ skills. “I think it was more of an impressive play by Miggy in that situation. Tough hop,” he remarked. “All I had to do was catch the ball and get my foot down.”