THIS DAY IN BÉISBOL October 23: Astros SS Jeremy Peña named ALCS MVP after 3-run HR in Game 4
On a team already loaded with hitting stars like Jose Altuve, Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman and Jordan Alvarez, Astros rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña held his own in 2022, when the Dominican native took over the position from departed fan favorite Carlos Correa. He hit 22 home runs and won a Gold Glove. But on this day in béisbol, October 22, 2022, Peña proved he wasn’t about to wilt under the harsh glare of the postseason, either — especially in an ALCS game against the rival Yankees. Peña hit a three-run homer early off New York starter Nestor Torres that helped Houston
THIS DAY IN BÉISBOL October 22: Yordan Alvarez wins 2021 ALCS MVP with 4-for-4 Game 6
Yordan Alvarez took home the ALCS MVP award on this day in béisbol, October 22, 2001 after going 4-for-4 in a Game 6 Astros win over the Red Sox. The DH from La Tunas, Cuba hit a single, 2 doubles and a triple in the clincher that sent Houston to the World Series. Overall, Alvarez had 12 hits in the series including a home run, with 6 RBI. The 2019 Rookie of the Year was coming off a star-making season, slamming 33 HR with 107 RBI. Houston would go on to lose the Fall Classic to the Washington Nationals in
THIS DAY IN BEISBOL October 21: Alfonso Soriano wins 2001 ALCS Game 4 with walk-off HR
Alfonso Soriano was coming off a solid rookie season when on this day in béisbol, October 21, 2001 the Yankees second baseman hit what was arguably the biggest homer of his nascent career. The Dominican native blasted a walk-off homer in Game 4 of the ALCS into the right field bleachers at Yankee Stadium that sent the fans into a frenzy and sank the Seattle Mariners into a 3-1 hole. Bombers centerfielder Bernie Williams had homered in the bottom of the eighth to tie the score at 1-1 when Soriano hit his moon shot. The Yankees would go on to
THIS DAY IN BÉISBOL October 20: Francisco Rodriguez is youngest pitcher to win World Series game
He was only 20 years old and barely two weeks into his MLB career when Francisco Rodriguez became the youngest pitcher to win a World Series game on this day in beisbol, October 20, 2002. The Anaheim Angels reliever didn’t let his age or the pressure of October baseball get to him as he came on in the sixth inning of Game 2 against the San Francisco Giants to try to keep a lid on what turned into a see-saw slugfest the Angels eventually won 11-10. Rodriguez kept the power-packed Giants — who hit four homers in the game —
THIS DAY IN BÉISBOL October 19: Dodgers ride Kiké Hernandez’ 3 HR, 7 RBI to 2017 World Series
Los Angeles Dodgers utilityman Kiké Hernandez has a knack for stepping it up in the postseason, and on this day in béisbol, Oct. 19, 2017, Hernandez pulled off some October magic with a home-run hat trick that sent the Dodgers to the Fall Classic for the first time since 1988. Batting sixth and playing left in Game 5 of the NLCS, the San Juan, Puerto Rico-born Hernandez led off the top of the second with a home run to give L.A. a 2-1 lead against the Cubs, the 2016 defending champs. In the following inning Hernandez broke it open for
THIS DAY IN BÉISBOL October 18: David Ortiz 12th inning homer in 2004 ALCS spurs Boston’s historic 0-3 comeback
The Yankees were three outs away from their sixth pennant in the last seven years when on this day in beisbol, October 18, 2004, the Red Sox pulled off a miracle win to kickstart the greatest comeback in MLB postseason history. It was also the beginning of Boston DH David Ortiz’s lasting legacy as arguably the most clutch postseason hitter ever. Down three games to none and facing elimination against the Yankees in Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS, Boston tied it in the bottom of the ninth against elite closer Mariano Rivera with a walk, a stolen base and
THIS DAY IN BÉISBOL Oct. 17: Carlos Correa, George Springer bash 3-run HRs for Astros in 2019 ALCS win
Over the past few seasons, the Houston Astros have become the team everyone loves to hate thanks in large part to their on-field arrogance — and a little help from an elaborate cheating system. But love ’em or loathe ’em, they do manage to win every year, with four straight ALCS appearances since 2016 and a championship in 2017. Much of the credit goes to a homegrown core of young stars that include second baseman Jose Altuve, shortstop Carlos Correa, outfielder George Springer and third baseman Alex Bregman, all of whom always seem to turn it up a notch in
THIS DAY IN BÉISBOL October 16: Rafael Devers, J.D. Martinez hit grand slams in 2021 ALCS Game 2 win
Grand slams by J.D. Martinez in the first inning and Rafael Devers in the second gave Boston the win in Game 2 of the ALCS on this day in beisbol, October 16, 2021. The win tied the series with the Houston Astros, who would go on to lose the World Series to the Atlanta Braves in six games. Devers was just 24 and already a huge star after his best year at the plate in 2021, when the Dominican Republic native led the Red Sox with 38 home runs and 113 RBI. Martinez, the veteran slugger in his fourth year
