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Did Miguel Rojas jinx the Dodgers? His bold World Series cleats are aging terribly

did-miguel-rojas-jinx-the-dodgers?-his-bold-world-series-cleats-are-aging-terribly
Did Miguel Rojas jinx the Dodgers? His bold World Series cleats are aging terribly

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Somebody might want to tell Miguel Rojas that it’s not a good idea to get ahead of yourself when it comes to winning championships. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers infielder and 2025 World Series hero arrived for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday night sporting custom red Nike Air Jordan cleats featuring the Dodgers’ 2024 and 2025 World Series trophies alongside a rather presumptuous message:

“2026 loading…”

Unfortunately for Rojas, the Milwaukee Brewers apparently didn’t get the memo that a third straight title was a foregone conclusion. 

Photographers captured the flashy footwear at Dodger Stadium, where Rojas started at third base against left-hander Robert Gasser. But by night’s end, those championship cleats looked more like a premature victory lap.

Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Miguel Rojas stands on first base, wearing custom cleats and blue socks decorated with palm trees.

Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Miguel Rojas stands on first after a base hit during the third inning of Game 3 of baseball’s National League Championship Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers. AP Photo/Gregory Bull

Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Miguel Rojas celebrates his base hit during Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Miguel Rojas celebrates his base hit during the third inning of Game 3 of baseball’s National League Championship Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers. AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Rojas reached base twice with a single and a walk before manager Dave Roberts inexplicably removed him during a pivotal sixth-inning rally.

With Milwaukee reliever Abner Uribe reeling after Will Smith’s two-run, bases-loaded double, Roberts pinch-hit Josue DePaula for Rojas, only to replace DePaula with Kiké Hernández after Brewers manager Pat Murphy countered with a left-hander.

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Abner Uribe watches as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith plays his two-RBI double during a game in Los Angeles.

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Abner Uribe and Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith watch Smith’s two-RBI double during the sixth inning of Game 3 of baseball’s National League Championship Series. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

Roberts also lifted Andy Pages for Max Muncy two batters earlier. 

Both pinch-hitters struck out, leaving two runners stranded in scoring position.

One inning later, Blake Snell surrendered back-to-back home runs as Milwaukee seized a 4-2 lead.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell sits in the dugout with a towel over his head.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell sits in the dugout during the fifth inning of Game 3 of baseball’s National League Championship Series. AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Suddenly, Rojas’ cleats weren’t looking so clever.

The Brewers went on to win the game 6-2 and now lead the NLCS 3-0, leaving Los Angeles one loss away from watching its historic three-peat aspirations disappear.

Ironically, only one team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven MLB postseason series: the 2004 Boston Red Sox, featuring Roberts himself.

Maybe Rojas didn’t jinx the Dodgers.

But if Los Angeles completes this collapse, those “2026 loading” cleats might become an unfortunate fashion statement that didn’t work out on the field.


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