“In their 63rd season… it’s happened! The Texas Rangers win the World Series!”
Joe Davis was every Rangers fan Wednesday night when Josh Sborz struck-out Ketel Marte for the final out of the World Series. Texas split Games 1 and 2 at home, but won all three games on the road to close out the Fall Classic. Just as they have all postseason, the Rangers found a home away from home on the road, outscoring the Arizona Diamondbacks 19-8 in Games 3-5 in Phoenix.
The Rangers did not lose a single game on the road this postseason. Let that sink in. Texas went up 2-0 against the Houston Astros to open the ALCS, and then lost three straight home games to go down 2-3 in the series. With their backs against the wall, the Rangers won two win-or-go-home games on the road at Minute Maid Park against the defending World Series champions.
In the World Series, the Rangers’ success stemmed directly from their superstars Corey Seager and Adolis Garcia. In Game 1, the Rangers trailed 5-3 in the bottom of the 9th inning. They would face Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald, who had been nearly untouchable this postseason. In the NLCS, Sewald made Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and the vaunted Phillies offense look like little leaguers. But, with a runner on first base and one out, Corey Seager jumped on the first pitch he saw. The 2020 World Series MVP launched a moonshot into the abyss in the right field bleachers, tying the game 5-5.
In the 11th inning, it was the other Rangers’ superstar’s time to shine. Adolis Garcia, who was once DFA’d by both the Cardinals and Rangers earlier in his career, sent a 97mph sinker into the right field bleachers to win Game 1.
After an embarrassing 9-1 home loss in Game 2, Texas regained their groove on the road. With a 1-0 lead in the 3rd inning, Corey Seager struck again with a two-run homerun that would hold firm as the deciding swing in the Rangers’ 3-1 victory. In Game 4, the Rangers were without Adolis Garcia due to an oblique injury. Despite the superstar’s absence, Texas led by as much as 10-0 in the 3rd inning. And yes, Seager hit another homerun.
Garcia reportedly addressed the team in an emotional speech before Game 4, and his teammates spoke glowingly of his vulnerability in such a disheartening moment. Rookie Josh Jung said, “It meant everything… he picked us up by asking us to pick him up. He’s picked us up all year.” Corey Seager said, “To be able to come in, know the headspace he’s in, not being able to help us and still contribute – that’s a hard thing to do. He did a great job.” And lastly Jonah Heim said, “I think it hit us right in the heart and gave us a little lecture of something to play for… he wants to be out there with us. I think tonight was a good example of us rallying around him.”
In Game 5, despite a heroic, five no-hit inning outing from Diamondbacks ace Zach Gallen, Arizona could not muster enough run support to win the game. In fact, they couldn’t get Gallen any run support, as the Snakes plated zero runs in a fairly shameful 5-0 loss at home.
In the end, the beloved Bruce Bochy got his fourth ring, and the Rangers got a ring of their own, the first in franchise history. Corey Seager became the first player in MLB history to win the World Series MVP in both the National and American League. He also became just the fourth player ever to win the MVP twice, joining Reggie Jackson (1973, 1977), Sandy Koufax (1963, 1965), and Bob Gibson (1964, 1967). Bruce Bochy is now tied for fourth all-time with the most World Series championships as a manager.
Texas has a young core and returning veteran pitchers like Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer, so keep an eye out for Bochy’s crew, because there may be a repeat brewing for the first time champs.
