Here are some World Series memories to keep you warm through the cold baseball-less winter.
Astros throw a combined no-hitter
Second no hitter in World Series history. Most of us weren't even born yet for the last one - Don Larsen's perfect game in 1956. Sure this one took four pitchers to complete but considering that has never been done before in the postseason, you can't take away it's greatness.
Phillies tie record of 5 HRs in a single World Series game
And all five were in the first five innings! And off the same pitcher (another record)! Poor Lance McCullers, Jr. They matched a feat done by only three other teams, and actually the 2017 Astros was the most recent, which featured McCullers. Maybe you can call it payback.
Chas McCormick's game saving catch in game 5
All important series momentum swinging game 5, bottom of the 9th, 3-2 Astros lead, 1 out, Bryce Harper waiting on deck, and J.T. Realmuto hits a deep drive to right center field, McCormick is going back, back, back, the crowd raises to their feet, McCormick leaps, crashes against the wall, falls to the ground, and lays there, ball in glove. We will never know which base Realmuto would have gotten to had he not made the catch and especially with red hot Harper next up to try to knock him in and tie the game. What. A. Play.
An interesting tidbit, Chas McCormick grew up near Philadelphia as a big fan of the Phillies. And he made the catch of his life in the 9th inning of game 5 of the World Series...at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Gotta love baseball.
Also, check out the incredible warning track imprint Chas left behind...
Air Yordan Alvarez's go-ahead 3-run home run in game 6
After Kyle Schwarber put the Phillies ahead 1-0 with a solo home run in the top of the 6th, the momentum looked to be turning the Phillies' direction. All that changed in the bottom of the inning, after a hit by pitch and a single brought up the big man himself. And boy did he deliver when it mattered most, all 450 feet of it. That one swing took the wind out of the Phillies' sail, as they mustered only 1 more baserunner over the last 3 innings, leading the Astros to their second World Series title in franchise history.
Dusty Baker and the Astros celebration
After his 3,981 MLB game managed, Dusty Baker is finally a World Series winning manager. Before this game, he led all managers with the most regular season wins without a ring, at 2,093. What. A. Moment.
Also, who doesn't enjoy watching grown men celebrate in complete euphoria as they finally fulfill their life long dream?
Bonus: Jeremy Peña's magnificent game 5
You can't talk about the World Series without mentioning the MVP and breakout star of the Postseason, who was outstanding in the all important game 5. As the second batter of the game, he had an RBI single to put the Astros up 1-0. In his very next at-bat right after the Phillies tied up the game, he led off the 4th inning with a solo home run off Noah Syndergaard putting the Astros back on top 2-1, and becoming the first rookie shortstop to homer in the World Series. Then in the 8th, he executed a perfect hit & run single which moved Altuve to third base setting him up to score the winning run on the next batter Yordan Alvarez's ground out. All of that, before we mention the few gold glove validating web gem defensive plays he made throughout the game. And this is all just the start for this young phenom.
What would you add to the list?
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