Many Major League Baseball players go their entire career without having the chance to play for a World Series team. But for a former Philadelphia Phillies fan favorite, just being in the right place at the right time has guaranteed a World Series ring this year. That unexpected and fortunate former Phillies player is none other than Buddy Kennedy.
By virtue of having played for both the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays this season, who are now the two teams left standing in the 2025 MLB Playoffs, Kennedy will ultimately be anointed a World Series champion upon the completion of the postseason.
Buddy Kennedy guaranteed a World Series ring this year from either Dodgers or Blue Jays
The 27-year-old infielder actually began his 2025 campaign with the Phillies after coming over in a trade with the Detroit Tigers during the 2024 season. Despite being designated for assignment after missing the cut for the Phillies’ Opening Day roster, Kennedy eventually cleared waivers and elected free agency but ultimately re-signed with Philadelphia on a minor league contract.
He got his opportunity in the majors once again when the Phillies selected his contract in mid-June and promoted him to the big leagues. From there, Kennedy saw action in just four games, going 0-for-7 with two strikeouts in eight plate appearances. As a result, he was DFA’d again and elected free agency, again.
This time though, Kennedy was picked up by the Blue Jays on a minor league contract. One month later, Toronto selected his contract and added him to their major league roster in early August. He got into two games, posting a .200 average and .733 OPS with one double and one run scored.
However, his tenure with the Jays didn’t last long as they needed to make room for the return of Andrés Giménez from the injured list. Consequently, Kennedy suffered the same old DFA fate for a third time on Aug. 12.
A few days later, the Dodgers claimed the 27-year-old off waivers and added him to their big league roster when infielder Max Muncy landed on the IL with an oblique strain. In seven games with Los Angeles, Kennedy only managed one hit and one RBI to go along with five strikeouts in 18 total plate appearances.
Just as you guessed it, he was DFA’d a fourth time, cleared waivers and became a free agent once again. Surprisingly, the Jays picked him back up on another minor league contract in early September, and he has remained with the organization ever since.
So basically, by appearing in nine games in total during his time with Toronto and Los Angeles, Kennedy will now have the luxury of bringing home a ring while being deemed a World Series champion. Not bad for a few good days work don’t you say?