When the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Tommy Edman from the St. Louis Cardinals at the trade deadline, an NLCS MVP might have seemed a little far-fetched.
But Edman proved to be an invaluable contributor in the Dodgers’ loaded lineup, as the NL West champs knocked off the New York Mets in six games to return to the World Series.
The 29-year-old utilityman went 11-for-27 (.407) over the six games, hitting three doubles and one homer while driving in 11 runs to earn the honour as the Championship Series’ top performer.
While the totals are impressive, Edman saved his best for last, charging the Dodgers to the Fall Classic with an electric performance in Game 6.
Batting cleanup for just the fifth time in his MLB career, Edman ripped a two-run double down the line in the first inning to give his club the lead and added to that advantage just two innings later with a two-run blast to left.
Playing in his fifth MLB post-season, the former sixth-round pick had never been a standout playoff performer, picking up just 13 hits in 58 October at-bats with St. Louis, but picked a great time to flip the switch.
Edman becomes just the 12th player to ever be named NLCS MVP after being acquired mid-season by their new club, according to MLB.com’s Sarah Langs.
The Dodgers added Edman as part of a three-team trade with the Cardinals and Chicago White Sox that saw L.A. acquire reliever Michael Kopech and starter Erick Fedde head to St. Louis. The Dodgers sent future considerations, two minor leaguers and infielder Miguel Vargas to the White Sox to complete the trade.