CLEVELAND — With the score tied, two runners on and a berth in the World Series finally within reach, Juan Soto stepped in to face Hunter Gaddis. When the Guardians right-hander threw a pitch outside the strike zone, Soto took it. When he threw breaking balls, Soto fouled them off one after the other, nodding to himself along the way. And then, seven pitches into the at-bat, Gaddis threw a fastball.
Finally, Soto had his pitch — and he crushed it. The ball sailed over the centre field wall at Progressive Field, scoring two teammates and turning a tie game into a Yankees lead.
“An at-bat for the ages,” said Yankees manager Aaron Boone.
“I figured he was going to do something like (this),” said Giancarlo Stanton, the ALCS MVP.
“Now let’s get three more outs,” GM Brian Cashman said. “I did the prayer sign.”
Soon afterwards, Cashman got his wish, and the Yankees defeated the Guardians 5-2 in 10 innings to win the ALCS 4-1. Thanks to Soto’s homer, New York won their 41st American League pennant and will go to the World Series for the first time since 2009.
“Incredible,” added Boone. “Just such an ability to seize the moment.”
Once Luke Weaver had secured the final out of the game, the typically measured Yankees dogpiled on the mound to kick off an extended celebration that soon shifted from the field to the clubhouse where the beer, champagne and cigars could be found.
The dramatics wouldn’t have been possible without dominant relief work from the beleaguered Yankees bullpen, including a two-inning appearance from Luke Weaver, nor would the win have happened without yet another game-changing home run from Stanton, who tied the game 2-2 with a shot to left field in the sixth.
Those performances were fitting for an ALCS that packed constant action into just five games. Despite losing four of five, the Guardians were in each game, and their lone victory featured iconic home runs from Jhonkensy Noel and David Fry.
“Fun, agonizing, everywhere in between,” said Guardians manager Stephen Vogt. “Credit to them; they’re a phenomenal team, and they’ve earned their way there.”
Stanton won ALCS MVP honours by hitting four home runs in the series — one shy of the Guardians’ team total. In 36 career playoff games, he has 16 home runs and 35 RBI, all with the Yankees. Now, he has an ALCS MVP Award to his name, too.
“This is a special trophy for me,” Stanton said. “But this ain’t the trophy I want. I want the next one.”
As Stanton hoisted his new hardware up on the temporary stage in the Cleveland outfield, fans along the first base side had a message for all to hear, including Cashman and Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner.
“Re-sign Soto,” they chanted.
Later, as the celebration continued in the clubhouse, infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. echoed the fans’ sentiment.
“Re-sign Soto,” he repeated with a smile. “$700 million. Final offer.”
Indeed, the Yankees are scary with Soto. Contemplating life without him probably seems unappealing at a time when Gleyber Torres, Alex Verdugo and Clay Holmes are also headed to free agency. However, at least the Soto-Yankees relationship is now strong, with their biggest games still ahead.
“All boxes checked in terms of enjoying his time and liking the franchise,” Cashman said. “But he’s earned the right to be a free agent, so all of those discussions will happen (later).”
Still, it’s inarguable that the trade that brought him to New York for a five-player package headlined by Michael King was a success.
“We gave up a lot,” Cashman said. “It was a big chess move, no doubt about it, that was designed to increase our chances. And it did.”
Not only did Soto hit 41 home runs with a .989 OPS during the regular season, he added three in the ALCS to go along with Stanton’s four and two from Aaron Judge. That trio is one reason the Yankees are so well-positioned entering the World Series. But with five days to rest before the World Series begins and Gerrit Cole lined up for Game 1, the pitching staff should be in good shape, too. This is a legitimately scary team.
“To get there doesn’t mean much,” Stanton said. “We need to win it.”
For the Guardians, the off-season has arrived earlier than they’d hoped. They’ll likely seek starting pitching and a backup catcher, but the makings of a strong team are again in place for 2025, when the push for another playoff berth will begin anew in a division that’s getting more competitive.
“Obviously we’re hurting,” Vogt said. “But I couldn’t be more proud of what this group accomplished. There’s only one team that gets to win the last game of the year. Unfortunately it’s not going to be us.”
As for the Yankees, they’ll get five days of rest before the World Series begins next Friday, either in the Bronx against the cross-town Mets or in Los Angeles against the Dodgers. The next week will likely include workouts and advance meetings, but first — a chance to celebrate a hard-won achievement.
After all, the Yankees may have represented the American League in the World Series more than any other team, and they do still have bigger goals ahead, but each pennant requires planning from the front office, preparation from the coaching staff and dedication on the part of players.
For at least one night, the Yankees can simply enjoy the significance of being the last American League team standing for the first time in 15 years.
“It sounds so good when you say it like that,” said Boone. “That’s pretty sweet.”