Texas Rangers ALCS MVP Adolis Garcia Completes 'Villain' Storyline, Crushes Houston Astros
Houston – Of course he stared at his majestic shot leaving the ballpark. Who could blame him, either?
Adolis García, the man played the "villain" role to Houston Astros fans in the American League Championship, trotted around the basepaths for a second time at the top of the eighth inning, knowing the Texas Rangers were mere outs away from accomplishing their goal set back in Spring Training.
Baseball is a team sport. One player can't swing his way to victory without pitchers and defense setting the tone when on the field. But García, the heart and voice of the Rangers, came pretty close to beating the Astros in back-to-back games at the plate by himself, securing Texas' spot back in the World Series for the first time since 2011.
"He's one of our guys, I'll start with that," manager Bruce Bochy said postgame. "We're not surprised about what he did. I've seen him do it during the year. This guy's incredible talent, what he did."
García, named MVP of the ALCS, capped off Game 7 of the series against cross-state rival Houston with a bang. Two homers, five RBI and a pennant were all she wrote for El Bombi as the Rangers secured the 11-4 win on Monday night to advance to their third Fall Classic in franchise history.
Credit will be spread around the clubhouse as the Rangers wait for Friday night's Game 1 at Globe Life Field against either the Philadelphia Phillies or Arizona Diamondbacks. Pitching performances from Nathan Eovaldi and Jordan Montgomery deserve love. So were efforts from AL MVP candidate Corey Seager and under-the-radar clutch hitter Mitch Garver.
Adolis Garcia celebrates with Josh Jung after hitting a home run in Game 7 of the ALCS.
But García, who set a postseason series record with 15 RBI, never wavered at adversity. Even after the drama of Game 5 in Arlington, the All-Star outfielder was determined to send a message around the baseball world.
Count the Rangers down, but never out, especially when away from Arlington.
"We're good at focusing on the little things," García said through a Spanish translator. "We try to look at what we need to do, little things, to get that win or to just be successful. I think that's really been key for us for having that success on the road, as well."
García's polarizing demeanor is exactly what the game needs these days to draw in a younger audience. From his bold personality to emphatic bat flips, the persona surrounding the Cuban-born outfielder continues to headline what has been a dominant season for the emerging contenders in the American League.
It would be one thing for García to idle at his work if it was a pie-in-the-sky moment. Nope, this is consistent now. After striking out four times in Game 6 of the ALCS, the right fielder's been dialed in, going 4-of-6 at the plate with three long balls and nine RBI.
It was almost a triple-crown day for García on Monday, too. During the first inning, he watched as a fastball from Astros starter Cristian Javier nearly reached the Crawford Boxes at Minute Maid Park. But just before it could cross the yellow line, the ball ricocheted off the scoreboard and landed back in play.
Fine, an RBI single and a 2-0 lead would have to suffice. He'd make up for lost time later, anyway.
"You can't really deny that October has that type of emotion, has that type of situation around it," García said. "For myself, I just try to keep myself focused on the task at hand, try to perform, try to control the things that I can, and have the success that we can have."
García finished the ALCS with a homer in four straight games. His 15 RBI surpassed fellow Ranger Nelson Cruz, who notched 13 in the 2011 ALCS. And his 20 RBI this postseason is the second-most behind David Freese's 21 set in the year when the St. Louis Cardinals broke the hearts of Rangers' fans everywhere.
Think he can grab two more before the World Series comes to a close?
"He's just a talented guy that," Bochy said. "I'm not surprised by anything. Defensively, offensively. We're lucky to have him."
To think baseball almost never saw the marvel that platoons right field at Globe Life Field is a tragedy. García began his career in Japan before getting a chance to make the big leagues as a member of the Cardinals. He was designated for assignment in 2019 and later dealt to Texas for cash considerations.
The Rangers weren't entirely sold on García's talents either, DFA'ing him two years later, only to offer him a non-roster invite spot at Spring Training. He found his way back to the big club and never looked back.
From waiver claim to two-time All-Star to ALCS MVP?
Yeah, he's earned the right to watch his efforts leave the yard before beginning his slow, methodical trot around the bases.
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