Miguel Rojas, World Series Game 7 Hero, Mourns Sudden Family Tragedy

Los Angeles Dodgers legend Miguel Rojas is mourning the sudden loss of his father, Miguel Rojas, who was known to friends and family as "Micky."

The Venezuelan shortstop announced the tragic news on Wednesday morning on his Instagram Story. He posted a black-and-white photo alongside his father. In the next story, Rojas shared a lengthy post announcing the tragic news.

"With immense sorrow on behalf of the entire Rojas family, I must share with all those who had the privilege of knowing and spending time with my father, Miguel Rojas - known as "Micky" - that he passed away suddenly yesterday afternoon, April 7th," the two-time World Series champion shared in Spanish. "I wish to offer my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has reached out to me and my family to express their affection and let us know just how deeply loved my father was throughout his life. May God welcome him into His glory, and may he rest in peace."

The cause of death is not known at this time.

Rojas Shares Heartbraek, Family Memories

Rojas shared the feeling of being heartbroken that he couldn't say goodbye to his father.

The 37-year-old was with the Dodgers in Toronto for their World Series rematch against the Blue Jays. The Dodgers opened the highly anticipated series on Monday and destroyed the Blue Jays.

The win was so decisive that Rojas was called to pitch an inning of relief to close out the game. Rojas smiled while on the mound before delivering his pitches. He also got a laugh out of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto making fun of his pitching motion. Rojas even posted Ohtani and Yamamoto's ribbing on his Instagram Story.

But for Tuesday's game, Rojas was a late scratch. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Rojas could leave Wednesday to be with his family, either in Miami, where he lives full time, or Venezuela. It's unclear if Rojas will rejoin the team in time for the Dodgers' next home stand, beginning Friday against the Texas Rangers.

Rojas, of course, etched his name in Dodger lore last year when he belted the game-tying home run in the bottom of the 9th in Game 7 of the World Series. The Dodgers were down to their last out when Miggy connected on a full count to send the ball over the left-field fence.

Making the home run all the more shocking is that Rojas had not had a hit in a month. Rojas had planned to retire after the 2025 season. But after hitting that home run and upon entering the dugout, Rojas later shared that Ohtani came up to him and told him he can't retire because he wanted one more season of baseball with him.

Rojas ultimately signed a 1-year, $5.5 million deal in December to return as a platoon player. Rojas made his major league debut with the Dodgers in 2014, nearly a decade after signing at 16 with the Cincinnati Reds in 2005.