LOS ANGELES — George Springer hit so many clutch home runs, he was a clear pick for World Series MVP.
He often was the Most Vocal Person, too — and that might be the most remarkable part of his story.
The Houston leadoff man hammered his way to the award, homering and doubling Wednesday night to boost the Astros to their first championship with a 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7.
"The wildness of this series, the wackiness of this series, the emotional ups and downs, being able to play in this is something that I will never, ever forget, even if this is the only time I will ever get here," he said.
He launched a Series record-tying five homers, including shots in each of the final four games, and celebrated those Springer Dingers by hollering around the bases.
Many years ago, that type of trip would’ve been hard to believe. Impossible, really.
As a kid, Springer stuttered so severely that he frequently fell silent, unless he was around his family or close friends. Over time, he’s improved so much that he graciously grants interviews, even on national television, and never seems to shy away from the spotlight. He even wore a live mic in the outfield during the All-Star Game in July.
Watch closely and you can see Springer, just for a moment, still begins to stumble over words sometimes. So he will calmly slow himself down, or pause for a second, before gathering himself and continuing on eloquently.
At 28, the All-Star centre fielder has taken every chance he’s gotten this post-season to talk about Camp SAY — that’s the Stuttering Association for the Young.
Springer is a spokesman for the two-week summer camp that benefits kids and teens who stutter. He also runs a charity bowling event, raising money to help people attend the program.
"I hope there’s somebody somewhere out there that is impacted and can learn to just go be who you are and not let any stage or any place stop you," he said last week.
On baseball’s big stage, the Dodgers couldn’t stop him.
Springer tied Reggie Jackson (1977) and Chase Utley (2009) for the most home runs in a Series. The UConn product became the first hitter to homer four games in a row during a single Series, and also set the mark with eight extra-base hits.
Springer led off Game 7 with a double and scored. In the second, his two-run homer made it 5-0 and finished Yu Darvish.
"I just remember swinging and hearing the sound of the bat, and I knew it was a good sound. And then I saw the flight of the ball. And I got to first base and I rounded third, and got home and that’s a crazy feeling. It’s a very surreal feeling because this is Game 7. This is what you dream of as a kid. And for that to happen is indescribable," he said.
Springer bounced back fast from a tough start, when he struck out all four at-bats in the opener, extending his slump to 3 for 30. He looked lost at the plate facing Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, but manager A.J. Hinch firmly said Springer would stay atop the lineup.
Good move. Springer went 11 for 25 the rest of the way.
"The first game of the World Series obviously wasn’t the best game for me, wasn’t the best game for anybody," he said. "But I learned from it. And I learned how to kind of keep my emotions in check. I learned how to slow my breathing down, slow myself down, because this is a time where it’s not just a game in June and then you’re going to come back again the next day and play. This is for everything."
He hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the 11th inning of a Game 2 win at Dodger Stadium. He doubled during a victory in Game 3, and homered again in a Game 4 loss.
He connected for a huge homer in Game 5, moments after an ill-advised dive for a sinking liner that skipped past him. He later drew a two-out walk in the 10th that set up the winning run at Minute Maid Park.
Springer hit a solo home run in Game 6 that put the Astros ahead in a game they eventually lost 3-1.
His final Series line: a .379 average, seven RBIs and a 1.000 slugging percentage.
Springer rallied from a rugged showing in the AL Championship Series, when he batted just .115 (3 for 26) without an extra-base hit or RBI in seven games against the Yankees.
That came after his fourth and most productive season in the majors, when he set career highs by hitting .283 with 34 home runs and 85 RBIs.
His production follows his pedigree.
Drafted 11th overall by the Astros out of Connecticut in 2011, George Chelston Springer III comes from a family of athletes. His dad pitched in the Little League World Series, his mom was an accomplished gymnast, and his two sisters played softball in college.
In fact, Springer wears No. 4 to represent the four members of his immediate family. Engaged to be married in January, Springer won’t be able to bump up to No. 5 — the Astros retired that jersey for Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell.
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