Nationals Take Game 1, Astros Controversy and A-Rod’s Strong Suit Game
By Tab Bamford
Game 1 Goes To Washington
If you hadn’t heard before Tuesday now you know: Juan Soto is good at baseball. And he etched his name in the history books with a show-stopping performance in Game 1 of the World Series.
Nats Dominican academy pic.twitter.com/vLIoQLrWF5
— johnny (@dipuglia) October 23, 2019
In honor of Juan Soto’s big night. Picture from Dominican Baseball Federation. Soto is 10 years old. Jose Cano, Robinson’s father, was his manager. #Nats #WorldSeries2019 pic.twitter.com/eWgxRaexJf
— Byron Kerr (@masnKerr) October 23, 2019
Young studs. ? pic.twitter.com/M85gFbTum7
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) October 22, 2019
"I was 34 years old & I was nervous when I got to my first World Series. What Juan Soto did is unbelievable!" -@AROD pic.twitter.com/JQaL14Gq8f
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 23, 2019
Juan Soto (20 years, 362 days) is the 2nd-youngest player ever to homer in his World Series debut (Andruw Jones).
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 23, 2019
Regardless of which game they hit it, the only players with a World Series HR at a younger age: Andruw Jones, Miguel Cabrera, and Mickey Mantle. pic.twitter.com/ZAbJ5CTMe8
Headed to the Hall
Soto’s home run ball landed on the railroad tracks in left field. It was retrieved and is headed to Cooperstown.
Juan Soto’s home run ball, retrieved from the Minute Maid Park train tracks after tonight’s game, is headed to the @baseballhall. Soto joined Miguel Cabrera, Andruw Jones and Mickey Mantle as the only players to homer in the World Series before turning 21. Thank you, Juan! pic.twitter.com/8biDfnGSUO
— Jon Shestakofsky (@Shesta_HOF) October 23, 2019
Controversy in Houston
The Baseball Writers’ Association of America released the following statement supporting Stephanie Apstein of Sports Illustrated on Tuesday.
BBWAA statement on incident in Houston. pic.twitter.com/lOwrbD9pLr
— BBWAA (@officialBBWAA) October 22, 2019
A-Rod, Big Papi Style
Game 1 style from Álex Rodríguez and David Ortiz. Looking good, gentlemen!
LVB Live! Poll of the Day
How many games will this #WorldSeries go? #TakeItBack #OnePursuit
— La Vida Baseball (@LaVidaBaseball) October 22, 2019
What are we reading?
From the #SABR archives: "You’re ecstatic that your favorite team is in the World Series, but your pitching ace performs poorly and the team loses Game 1. How worried should you be?" https://t.co/0YKmFPpAqf @Astros @HoustonSabr pic.twitter.com/eVSojrI8P6
— SABR (@sabr) October 23, 2019
What was Roberto Clemente’s impact on the 1979 Pirates and Willie Stargell’s amazing performance? https://t.co/9wgRkHkI5N
— Sean D. Hamill (@SeanDHamill) October 21, 2019
Efficiency is fine, but what about entertainment? On the need for baseball to develop more marquee starting pitchers: https://t.co/3AFsH60z2V
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 22, 2019
Nike And Baseballism Partner To Create Limited-Edition Baseball Lifestyle Shoe via @ForbesSports https://t.co/h5lv9gWL4w
— Maury Brown (@BizballMaury) October 22, 2019
Pro Post of the Day
He’s in the Hall of Fame because he played right field well, but Vladimir Guerrero Sr. has apparently been spending time at shortstop during his retirement.
Fan Post of the Day
The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History is also on the Nationals bandwagon. If that’s a baby shark, we’re all in trouble!
Our giant #babyshark (Carcharocles megalodon) and staff are cheering on the @Nationals in their first game of the #WorldSeries tonight! You can doo-doo, doo, doo, doo doo it! #StayInTheFight ? pic.twitter.com/7FoVBuIio4
— Smithsonian's NMNH (@NMNH) October 22, 2019
OTD
2012 – Ozzie Guillen relieved of his duties as manager of the Miami Marlins.
1974 – The Chicago Cubs acquired infielder Manny Trillo and pitchers Darold Knowles and Bob Locker from Oakland for outfielder Billy Williams.
1945 – Branch Rickey announced the signing of Jackie Robinson by the Brooklyn Dodgers organization.
Happy birthday!
Denny Bautista (b. 1982)
Pedro Liriano (b. 1980)
Ramon Castro (b. 1979)
Giomar Guevara (b. 1972)
Luis Silverio (b. 1956)
Featured Image: Jean Fruth / La Vida Baseball