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Soto’s Walk-Off Homer Lifts The New York Yankees to World Series
The New York Yankees, playing without injured star Gerrit Cole but holding him out of the ALCS until this season, advanced to their 41st World Series in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series by beating the Cleveland Guardians 5-2 on Juan Soto’s three-run homer with two outs in the 10th inning. One last time, Juan Soto was supposed to be the difference maker, the guy who pushed the New York Yankees back to the top.
They’re one step away.
Soto hit a three-run homer in the 10th with two outs, and the New York Yankees advanced to their 41st World Series, first in 15 years, by beating the Cleveland Guardians 5-2 in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series on Saturday night.
The biggest brand in baseball is returning to the main stage in October.
With one big swing, Soto helped the Bronx Bombers put themselves in place with his Soto, acquired in a seven-player trade from San Diego in December.
It was why he came; for this moment and many more.
The New York Yankees were not in the playoffs a year ago and will look for their 28th title against either the New York Mets or Los Angeles Dodgers. Sunday’s Game 6 of the NL Championship Series is at Dodger Stadium.
The score was tied 2-2 in the third consecutive tight game in three nights at Progressive Field, and with one out in the 10th, Guardians rookie shortstop Brayan Rocchio made an error on an errant throw by rookie second baseman Andrés Giménez after Austin Wells walked ahead of Alex Verdugo, who grounded to the bag.
Gaddis struck out Gleyber Torres, and had Soto in a 1-2 count before New York’s stylish outfielder, who fouled off four pitches, sent a towering shot over the wall in center.
Boone remarked, “Just an at-bat for the ages.”
Soto Shines in Series-Clinching Victory
Soto danced around first, paused to celebrate with teammates, and circled the bases.
“You’re all over that guy,” I was thinking to myself. That guy has you completely smitten. He doesn’t have anything,” Soto remarked, joining Boone as the only New York player to hit a home run in a series-ending victory that lasted extra innings.
Lane Thomas flew out to right field for the last one, which Soto — naturally — caught. Luke Weaver got the final three outs.
As he pulled into New York, there were those who doubted how he would fit in; he could not contend with the searing spotlight of playing in the Big Apple where every game is torn apart from season’s end. Could he actually share a flight for some games with Aaron Judge?
Not only has Soto fit in. He’s led the charge.
Yankees Advance to World Series, Soto’s Future Uncertain
Boone remarked, “He’s just easy to be around.” “How would a superstar player appear when you bring him in? What will he look like? He is only one of the men. Seeing that I don’t have to make an extra effort to worry about him has been satisfying, guy. He is good. Although he’s one of the boys, I think we have a wonderful relationship.”
Soto, 25, becomes eligible for free agency this winter, and Yankee fans chanted “Re-sign Soto” during the postgame celebration. Game 5 may have raised his price to upwards of $600 million, and he’s expected to receive a contract.
“Soto should be re-signed,” third baseman Jazz Chisolm Jr. stated. “Final offer: $700 million”
New York Yankees take care of Guardians in five, win ALCS, Giancarlo Stanton smothers home run for two runs, named MVP. It wasn’t easy.
At Yankee Stadium over the past two weekends, New York has won the first two without much-added fanfare or drama. That story was different in Cleveland as all three games at Progressive Field were nail-biters.
Yankees Return to World Series After Dramatic Playoff Run
The Yankees blew a four-run, eighth-inning lead to force Game 5, but the Guardians came back to win on two, two-run homers in their last two at-bats and rallied in the series with Game 3.
Stanton remarked, “This was a rollercoaster, and we were able to just keep punching back.” “We must finish it because we know there is still a lot of work to be done and it’s only going to get better from here.”
But Cleveland didn’t have enough and a surprising season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt didn’t make it to a World Series. They remain without a title since 1948, still the baseball’s current longest drought.
Vogt stated, “Unfortunately, we won’t be the one team that gets to win the final game of the year.” But together, we achieved a great deal. We improved. We put forth a lot of effort. I am really proud of this bunch. We just didn’t make as much progress as we had hoped.”
Back where they’re supposed to be every year, the Yankees are back in the World Series.
New York went 82-80 last season, finishing 4th in the AL East — a loss the club eventually termed some ‘soul searching as an organization’ — and Boone became one of just three managers to take a team to the postseason in six of his first seven seasons.
Other than the core staying intact, being able to get Soto in a blockbuster trade on Dec. 7 — in which New York sent five players to San Diego for the three-time All-Star — sped up the team getting back to title contender mode.
Boone Praises Stanton’s Homer and Yankees’ Unity
Before the game, Boone laughed and remarked, “That was a good day.”
Stanton’s 446-foot rocket into the left-field bleachers tied things at 2 in the sixth, stranding Bibee, who bypassed Stanton in his first two at-bats and scored New York scoreless through the first five innings.
Stanton’s fourth homer of this series, his third in three games Tuesday and 16th overall in the postseason, put him into fourth place on the club career list by homers behind Bernie Williams (22), Derek Jeter (20), and Mickey Mantle (18).
Boone remarked, “That’s the best swing you can make on a ball.”
Finally easing the pressure, Boone, who is from one of baseball’s royal families, fell short of expectations. He’s never done it before, but finally got the Yankees back where they belong after seven years.
Boone remarked, “We’ve had some fantastic clubs, some fantastic groupings, and some fantastic companionship. They trust one another, and this group is the closest I’ve ever seen. They rely on one another. They are in love. They perform for one another.
Chisolm, like Soto, was an outsider when he joined the Yankees in a trade from Miami in July. From the moment he arrived, he knew he joined something special.”
He remarked, “I assumed I would just attend the baseball team.” “But entered a household.”
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My name is Krishanu Das the founder of the Sports Dribble.
I am Accountant by profession but a Sports Blogger by passion.
I am passionate about sharing my all knowledge and experiences of sports, with my readers and every sports enthusiast.
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