2019’s Top 10 Latino Postseason Moments
The 2019 postseason is officially over and the Washington Nationals close out the decade as World Series champions. This postseason brought a lot of incredible moments, including outrageous bat flips, intense pitching duels and reggeaton jam sessions.
While every game had a significant moment, there are a few moments that truly stood out among the rest. In order, here are the 10 best Latino postseason moments:
1. Altuve sends Astros to World Series
After Roberto Osuna surrendered a two-run home run to DJ LeMahieu to tie the game 4-4, the Astros were left hanging on the ropes. Facing a potential winner-take-all Game 7, José Altuve entered the batter’s box with two outs, a runner on first and up against flamethrower Aroldis Chapman. Not an issue. Altuve punished a 2-1 hanging slider deep into the Crawford Boxes. Once again, the Yankees were going home, and the Astros were headed to their second World Series in three years.
2. Juan Soto trolls Bregman, gives Nats lead
When Alex Bregman dropped his bat past first base during Game 6 of the World Series, Juan Soto didn’t take offense to it. In fact, he thought it was pretty cool and wanted to do the same. So, when Soto launched a 3-1 fastball from Justin Verlander deep into right field he followed through with his plan. The solo shot gave the Nationals a 3-2 lead and later helped force a winner-take-all Game 7, a game the Nationals would go on to win
Nationals’ Childish Bambino Juan Soto trolls Bregman and Astros with home run trot
3. Correa calls his shot, literally
Carlos Correa knew that he would hit a home run in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series. He was so sure of it, he told any of his teammates who would listen to him. He seized the moment in the 11th inning to send the Astros to New York with a solo shot to win the game, 2-1.
Correa called his shot for Astros and took it to cap classic over Yankees
4. Juan Soto sends the Nationals to the Division Series
Down 3-1 in the eighth inning against power lefty Josh Hader, many Nationals fans had given up hope, but then magic happened. After Anthony Rendon walked to load the bases, Juan Soto delivered a clutch bases-clearing single with two outs to give the Nationals a 4-3 lead, enough to book a ticket against the Dodgers in the NLDS.
5. Bat flip, throat slit
This year’s NLDS matchup between the Braves and Cardinals was characterized less by the on-field action and more by the antics that accompanied it. Bat flips, showboating and trash talk all became staples in this five-game series. Perhaps most emblematic of the series is Yadier Molina’s walk-off sacrifice fly in Game 4 to force a winner-take-all Game 5. Molina tossed his bat as if it were a home run, and in the ensuing celebration, he did an Undertaker-esque throat slit. Simply epic.
6. Altuve makes history
It’s been well documented that José Altuve is a good baseball player. In fact, really good. So good, that during Game 5 of the Division Series, Altuve set the record for most home runs in postseason history by a second baseman with his 11th homer, a solo shot in the eighth inning. Is there anything that Altuve can’t do?
7. Rendon and Soto go belly-to-belly
There’s just something about 3-1 leads that make them so hard to maintain. Once again, the Nationals found themselves in a 3-1 hole in a decisive winner-take-all Game 5 against the Dodgers in the NLDS. With one of this generation’s best pitchers, Clayton Kershaw, pitching in relief, Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto slammed back-to-back solo homer runs to tie the game. A grand slam later and the Dodgers were going home in October empty-handed once again.
8. Pedro Capo meets his biggest fans
One of the biggest stories this postseason has happened off the field and inside the clubhouse. During every Nationals’ clinching celebration, players led by Brian Dozier belt their lungs out to Pedro Capo and Farruko’s summertime anthem, “Calma.” Several celebrations later, Capo visited his biggest fans ahead of Game 5 of the World Series at Nationals Park. Yes, singing was involved.
Reggaeton Hit “Calma” Serves as Unifying Soundtrack for NL Champion Nationals
9. Urquidy treats mom, fans to history
Astros rookie starter José Urquidy made Mexican baseball history in Game 4 by becoming the second Mexican-born starting pitcher to win a World Series game next to Fernando Valenzuela. With his mom in attendance, Urquidy treated fans to a vintage five-inning performance en route to an 8-1 Astros win.
José Urquidy treats mom, Astros and Mexican fans to historic night
10. Yandy goes yard times two
The Rays’ Yandy Díaz played in just one game after fracturing his foot in July before batting leadoff in the winner-take-all AL wild-card game. At the time, it was a surprise to see manager Kevin Cash put so much faith in Díaz, but boy did he deliver. Díaz hit the game’s first blow via a solo shot. He followed it up two innings later to help push the Rays over the A’s, 5-1.
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