Shin-Soo Choo sees it right, the rookie he recommended after giving up the leadoff hit…leads Texas to its first win.
The Texas Rangers’ fall flurry has been uncharacteristic. After sweeping the Tampa Bay Rays in two games in the American League Wild Card Series and the Baltimore Orioles in three games in the Division Series, they swept Game 1 and Game 2 of the Championship Series against the Houston Astros to advance to the World Series. 토토사이트
The longest winning streak to start the postseason is eight games, set by the Kansas City Royals in 2014. Texas’ seven-game winning streak this year is tied for second, behind the 1976 Cincinnati Reds, 2007 Colorado Rockies, 2020 Atlanta Braves and 2022 Atlanta. If Texas wins Game 3 of the ALCS on Nov. 19, it will tie the all-time record.
Texas’ seven-game postseason winning streak can’t be explained without mentioning switch-hitting center fielder Leodi Taveras, 25, a native of the Dominican Republic. In seven games this fall, Taveras has exploded onto the scene, going 8-for-23 with one home run, three doubles, six RBIs, three stolen bases, a .483 on-base percentage, a .609 slugging percentage and a 1.091 OPS. He hit a wedge home run off Justin Verlander in Game 1 of the ALCS and followed it up with a three-hit performance in Game 2 with a triple and two walks.
Taveras, who trained at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on Oct. 18, also participated in the official press conference. When asked about the team’s fall surge, he said, “I think everybody really trusts each other, and that’s the most important thing.”
On batting ninth, Taveras said, “It feels really good. I take a lot of pride in it. I know that if I get on base, Marcus Simeon or Corey Seager is going to drive in a run or two,” he said, giving a shout-out to his teammates.
Getting advice from his cousin, former major league outfielder Willie Taveras, who told him, “Don’t try to do too much, especially don’t try to be a hero,” also helped him clear his mind.
The next question was about Shin-Soo Choo (41-SSG Rangers), who has been out of the major leagues for three years. Taveras debuted during the COVID-19 shortened season in 2020, Shin-Soo Choo’s final season in the majors. In early September of that year, Shin-Soo Choo gave way to then-Texas manager Chris Woodward, who recommended Taveras as the leadoff hitter.
Shin-Soo Choo, who was nearing the end of his seven-year free agent contract with Texas, was recognized for making a big decision for the team’s future. At the time, Woodward said, “Taveras picked the right teacher,” and praised Shin-Soo as a good role model.
Taveras hasn’t forgotten his time with Shinsoo. “I learned a lot from him,” Taveras said. He’s someone I watched a lot when I came to this team. I was able to learn a lot from him by watching him do everything.”
After leaving Texas at the end of 2020, Shin-Soo Choo is continuing his career in South Korea after retiring from the major leagues. Taveras had some growing pains in 2021 and 2022, but this year he’s established himself as Texas’ primary center fielder, batting .266 (136-for-511) with 14 home runs, 67 RBIs, 14 doubles, and a .733 OPS in 143 games. He also contributes defensively.
Although Shin-Soo Choo didn’t fulfill his dream of winning a World Series with Texas. But Taveras, who he spotted and recommended, is on his way. Founded in 1961, Texas is one of the six franchises in Major League Baseball that hasn’t won a World Series, making it the oldest.