Texas Rangers’ Nelson Cruz homers his way to AL MVP Award – MLB Update
Texas Rangers’ Nelson Cruz lashed a two-run home-run in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series to be rightfully named as ALCS Most Valuable Player on Saturday, October 15.
In an exuberant display of power hitting, the Rangers obliterated the Detroit Tigers 15-4 to win the series 4-2 and thus qualify for the World Series for the second year running. The Rangers became the first team to win consecutive pennants in the American
League since the New York Yankees, who won four consecutive pennants from 1998 to 2001.
Central to this legendary postseason has been Cruz, who became the first player in the history of playoffs to hit six home-runs in a single postseason series. He also became the first player to hit six-plus home-runs in a single postseason in two different
years. Last year, he smashed a total of six home-runs in entirety and this year, the number is expected to be much higher.
Before the postseason had begun, Cruz was identified as the only hurdle in Rangers’ success. Doing well to overcome all criticism, the slugger proved his worth as a utility all-round player, dominant with the bat and excellent in defence. He is now being
tipped as the ‘next big thing’ and has forced the critics to accept that he has the ability to carry a team.
Cruz’s inability to impress prior to the Championship Series was evident from his numbers. In the last 11 games of the season, Cruz averaged .190 and drove in just three runs, including a home-run. Against the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL Division Series, Cruz
managed just one hit in 15 at-bats, but answered all questions in the ALCS.
Commenting on his team-mate’s success, Adrian Beltre said, "He was unbelievable. Every moment we needed him, he came through."
In total, Cruz drove in 13 runs during the series which in itself is a postseason record. After returning from a hamstring injury, this performance is more than commendable. It will, however, be interesting to see how far the slugger can carry this fame.
With the World Series now at stake, Cruz will have a major responsibility for cruising the Rangers through.
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