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

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

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

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

Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees hits a two-run home run against 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 errors to score five runs in the fifth and tie the game at 5. Gavin Lux and Mookie Betts each hit a sacrifice throw in the eighth to give the Dodgers the lead at Yankee Stadium for good.

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

The two-time Japanese star, who suffered a left shoulder subluxation when he was caught stealing in Game 2, went hitless in four at-bats and finished the series with no RBI.

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

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

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

Freeman was named World Series MVP for becoming the first player in history to hit a home run in six consecutive World Series games, dating back to his trip to the Fall Classic with the Atlanta Braves in 2021.

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

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

On September 19, Ohtani became the first Major League Baseball player 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 at 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 Oct. 30, 2024. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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

Shohei Ohtani (2nd from R) of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates as the team wins 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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