Former Virginia Pitcher Josh Sborz Clinches World Series For Texas Rangers
Josh Sborz lives for the clutch moments on the pitcher's mound.
Eight years after helping Virginia win the 2015 College World Series with several big-time pitching performances, Sborz became a champion again by recording the final seven outs and earning the save in the Texas Rangers' series-clinching 5-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks to win the 2023 World Series. After striking out Ketel Marte for the final out, Sborz slammed his glove into the ground in what will forever be an iconic image for the Rangers, who won their first-ever World Series title.
Sborz was simply dominant this postseason, giving up just one earned run in 12 innings pitched and recording five holds in the postseason. Entering game 5 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Sborz got the final out of the seventh and then worked around a two-out single in the eighth by striking out former UVA teammate Pavin Smith. That was a critical moment, as the Rangers led just 1-0 at that point and the Diamondbacks had shown a penchant for late comebacks this postseason. By the time Sborz returned to the mound in the bottom of the ninth, the Rangers had extended their lead to 5-0 with a four-spot in the top half of the inning. In the end, though, Sborz didn't need the insurance runs, dealing an easy 1-2-3 frame that included a pair of strikeouts to clinch the World Series.
This isn't the first time Sborz has delivered on the biggest stage. In his college days at the University of Virginia, Sborz proved to be one of the greatest postseason pitchers in college baseball history. In Virginia's run to the 2015 National Championship, Sborz did not allow a single earned run over his final 27 innings on the mound. He finished eight of UVA's 10 victories in the NCAA Tournament and went 3-0 and earned a save in four College World Series appearances, deservedly getting the nod as the Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series. Sborz finished his career with four wins in Omaha, tied for second-most in the history of the College World Series.
10 players from that 2015 Virginia baseball team that won the College World Series have reached the big leagues, but Josh Sborz and Pavin Smith were the first to reach the World Series. Sborz becomes the eighth former Cavalier in program history to be on a World Series-winning team and he is just the 21st player in the history of baseball to win a College World Series and an MLB World Series. Josh Sborz joins Jackie Bradley Jr. as the only two players to ever be named the College World Series Most Outstanding Player and then go on to win a World Series in the MLB.
Congratulations Josh Sborz, a champion once again.
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