For the first time in 7 years, no player named "Will Smith" will be on the winning team of this year's Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series, which features a matchup between "small-market" teams for the first time in 35 years.

According to a report introduced by the U.S. sports channel ESPN today (October 17, Korea time), the so-called "Will Smith streak" of consecutive championships has ended at six.

Currently, the most famous Will Smith in the big leagues is the starting catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Dodgers conquered the World Series in 2020 and 2024–2025, with catcher Smith playing a key role in the victories each time.

However, this year, the Dodgers were eliminated by the Milwaukee Brewers with four straight losses in the National League Championship Series, meaning he will not be seen in the World Series.

From 2021 to 2023, a left-handed pitcher named Will Smith, who shares the same name, was on the World Series championship team.

Smith, who made his debut in 2012 and played in the big leagues through 2024, wore the uniforms of six different teams.

He lifted the World Series trophy as a member of the Atlanta Braves in 2021, the Houston Astros in 2022, and the Texas Rangers in 2023.

Pitcher Smith pitched in the World Series in 2021 and 2023, while he was included on the roster but did not pitch in the 2022 World Series.

As such, the streak of World Series championships by players named Will Smith, combined between catcher Smith and pitcher Smith, continued for six straight years before coming to an end this year.

The full names of the two players, including their middle names, are slightly different: William Dills Smith (catcher) and William Michael Smith (pitcher).

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)