TORONTO – Before the thrilling Game 7 that concluded one of the best World Series in recent memory, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was pondering the meaning of grit.

Roberts said the best definition he heard was from researcher and podcaster Brené Brown. Actually, it was from psychologist Angela Duckworth. Whatever, Roberts liked the characterization, the description of grit as a combination of passion and perseverance for a singularly important goal.

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“That is what this team exemplifies,” Roberts said.

You can despise the Dodgers for escalating their payroll to almost $400 million. You can despise them for cornering the market on Japanese stars. You can even accuse them of ruining baseball.

But after their 5-4 victory in 11 innings Saturday night in Game 7 of the World Series, you have to admire the way they became the first back-to-back champions since the 1998 to 2000 New York Yankees.

With passion, perseverance and, yes, grit.

The Toronto Blue Jays were the better team for most of the Series. They outscored the Dodgers, 34-26. Held them to a .203 batting average. And in Game 7, led 3-0 after three innings and were two outs away from their first Series title since 1993.

Somehow, the Dodgers prevailed, becoming only the ninth team out of 32 to win Games 6 and 7 on the road in a best-of-seven World Series. Virtually every one of their players contributed, from high-priced starting pitchers working on short or no rest to lesser-known types who materialized seemingly out of nowhere to become Series stars.

“Everyone talks about the Dodgers and how much money we spend and how we’re supposed to do this, and all this stuff,” retiring left-hander Clay