Dodger Stadium, one of Major League Baseball’s most iconic venues, has seen its share of unforgettable moments. Yet, every so often, a visiting player etches his name into the annals of baseball history with a feat so rare, even the home crowd can’t help but marvel. That’s exactly what happened on October 9, 2025, when Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber launched a jaw-dropping, Statcast-projected 455-foot home run off Los Angeles Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 3 of the National League Division Series.
The very next day, Dodgers officials made sure Schwarber’s moonshot wouldn’t soon be forgotten. In a move that speaks volumes about both the magnitude of the blast and the club’s respect for baseball lore, the Dodgers installed a commemorative plaque at Dodger Stadium, marking the approximate landing spot of Schwarber’s titanic homer beyond the Right Field Pavilion seats. It’s not every day that a visiting player earns such an honor, but this was no ordinary home run.
With this singular swing, Schwarber joined one of the most exclusive clubs in baseball. Only a handful of players have ever hit a ball out of Dodger Stadium—a list that reads like a who’s who of power hitters: Willie Stargell (Pirates, 1969 and 1973), Mike Piazza (Dodgers, 1997), Mark McGwire (Cardinals, 1999), Giancarlo Stanton (Marlins, 2015), and Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres, 2021). Now, Schwarber’s name stands proudly among them, forever linked to a moment that electrified the postseason and Dodgers fans alike.
But what makes Schwarber’s feat even more remarkable is its rarity among left-handed hitters. Only one other lefty—Willie Stargell—has ever cleared the right field boundaries at Dodger Stadium, and both did it out to right field, a notoriously difficult task given the stadium’s architecture and prevailing winds. Schwarber’s blast not only cleared the seating bowl but also struck the top of the pavilion roof, a detail the Dodgers considered when deciding to award the plaque. Recent renovations have altered the outfield’s contours, but the feat remains as impressive as ever.
Statcast aficionados and home run historians might recall Shohei Ohtani’s near-miss in July 2024, when the Japanese superstar sent a ball a projected 473 feet to right field—just shy of the pavilion roof. That shot stands as the second-longest home run at Dodger Stadium in the Statcast era (since 2015), trailing only Giancarlo Stanton’s 475-foot monster from 2015. Still, Ohtani’s blast didn’t quite meet the stadium’s criteria for “leaving the yard.” As it stands, Schwarber and Stargell remain the only two lefties to have truly conquered right field, but Ohtani’s time may yet come.
“It’s an honor to be part of this group,” Schwarber said after learning about the plaque. “You grow up hearing about legends like Stargell, Piazza, McGwire—guys who could change a game with one swing. To be mentioned alongside them, especially in a place like Dodger Stadium, it’s something I’ll never forget.” According to MLB.com, the Dodgers’ decision to recognize Schwarber’s home run also reflects the stadium’s unique history and evolving architecture, which has seen the outfield pavilions renovated in recent years. The club’s willingness to adapt its criteria for “out of the park” home runs underscores just how special Schwarber’s achievement truly is.
While Schwarber’s blast captured the headlines, the Dodgers themselves are making plenty of noise this October. The club dethroned the Phillies in four games to advance to the National League Championship Series, keeping their hopes alive for a second consecutive World Series title. Veteran infielder Miguel Rojas, a steady presence in the Dodgers’ clubhouse, played a key role in the team’s postseason push.
At 36 years old, Rojas enters free agency this winter, but his heart remains firmly in Los Angeles. “100 percent, yes. This is my No. 1 priority to sign here with the Dodgers for one more year,” Rojas told Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation. “I want to do that, and after that, we will reevaluate where my career is going to go.” It’s a sentiment that resonates with Dodgers fans and teammates alike, who have come to value Rojas’s leadership, versatility, and steady glove across the infield.
Rojas’s 2025 campaign was a testament to his consistency and professionalism. He posted a .262/.318/.397 slash line, clubbed seven home runs, and drove in 27 runs. With a 2.1 bWAR and a league-average OPS+ of 100, Rojas proved he still has plenty to offer on the field. But perhaps his greatest contribution lies in his mentorship of younger players, a role he relishes as the Dodgers navigate the grind of a 162-game season and the intensity of October baseball.
In a candid post-game interview after clinching the NLCS berth, Rojas revealed his long-term plans: “I’m 36 years old. It’s been a wild ride. I’ve given it everything I’ve had in my four years here. Hopefully, I can finish my career here. Because I’m going to retire after next year.” Rojas’s intention to hang up his spikes after the 2026 season adds a poignant note to the Dodgers’ postseason journey, as the veteran hopes to cap his career with another championship run in Dodger Blue.
Rojas’s presence in the locker room is about more than just numbers. Teammates and coaches alike praise his ability to keep spirits high during tough stretches and his knack for helping young players adjust to the pressures of big-league life. “He’s the guy you want in your corner,” said a Dodgers teammate, echoing the sentiment of many around the club. “No matter what’s going on, he’s always there to pick you up and keep you focused.”
As the Dodgers prepare for the National League Championship Series, the spotlight remains firmly on both the team’s pursuit of history and the individual milestones that make baseball such a compelling sport. Schwarber’s plaque now joins a select few beyond the Right Field Pavilion, a silent testament to the power and drama of postseason baseball. Meanwhile, Rojas’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of leadership, resilience, and the enduring bonds forged on the diamond.
For Dodgers fans, October 2025 is shaping up to be another unforgettable chapter in the franchise’s storied history. With a shot at back-to-back titles and moments destined for the record books, all eyes are on Chavez Ravine. Whether it’s a home run that leaves the stadium or a veteran’s swan song, it’s clear that the magic of Dodger Stadium endures—one swing, one game, and one memory at a time.
