The Five Most Important Stories of 2025
The 2025 baseball season was a historic year marked by a powerhouse dynasty, massive contract extensions, and the emotional farewell of a legend.
Here are the 5 most important stories from the year in baseball:
1. The Dodgers Dynasty: Back-to-Back Champions
The Los Angeles Dodgers solidified their place in history by defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in a thrilling seven-game World Series. This victory marked their ninth title in franchise history and their second consecutive championship. Led by NL MVP Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers overcame a resilient Blue Jays squad to clinch the title on November 1, 2025.
• Source: 2025 MLB Season Recap - Wikipedia
2. Clayton Kershaw’s "Script-Perfect" Retirement
After 18 seasons, future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw officially retired from Major League Baseball. His exit was nothing short of cinematic: he walked off the mound as a back-to-back World Series champion after winning Game 7. Finishing his career with 3,052 strikeouts and a 2.53 ERA, Kershaw stated, "You can't script that... it's just the perfect way to end it."
• Source: Clayton Kershaw Career Legacy and Retirement - Times of India
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s $500 Million Extension
In April 2025, the Toronto Blue Jays made a massive commitment to their franchise cornerstone, signing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a record-breaking 14-year, $500 million contract. The deal, which includes a $325 million signing bonus, ensures Guerrero will remain the "income pulse" of the team through the next decade as they transition into a perennial American League powerhouse.
• Source: Vlad Jr. Salary and Contract Details - Times of India
4. The Athletics Move to West Sacramento
The 2025 season marked a major geographic shift as the Athletics officially relocated from Oakland to West Sacramento. Playing at Sutter Health Park for at least the next three seasons, the team dropped "Oakland" from their branding, simply going by "The Athletics" as they await the completion of their permanent stadium in Las Vegas.
• Source: 2025 Season Changes and Relocation - Wikipedia
5. Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge Sweep MVPs
The two biggest stars in the game continued their dominance, with Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers) taking home the NL MVP and Aaron Judge (Yankees) winning the AL MVP. Ohtani’s historic season helped fuel the Dodgers' championship run, while Judge carried a Yankees team that ultimately fell to Toronto in the ALDS, sparking debates about the Yankees' future roster construction around their captain.
• Source: MLB 2025 Awards and Offseason Outlook - CBS Sports
