Texas Rangers Make Franchise and Baseball History with First-Ever World Series Title
In a historic moment for the Texas Rangers, the team secured their first-ever World Series championship on Wednesday, defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, their journey to victory was not just about claiming the title; the Rangers also shattered numerous MLB records along the way, showcasing their exceptional individual performances and teamwide efforts throughout the postseason.
Road Warriors: A Record-Breaking Streak
Among the many records broken by the Rangers in the postseason, none defined their World Series triumph more than their remarkable road performance. The team achieved an unprecedented feat by going 11-0 on the road, setting a new record for the most road wins by a team in a single postseason. This incredible streak also marked the longest road winning streak in postseason history. Notably, the Rangers clinched their historic championship by securing three consecutive wins at Chase Field in Phoenix, including a thrilling victory in the franchise’s first-ever World Series.
Adolis García: The Producer of Records
Adolis García’s outstanding performance throughout the postseason left an indelible mark on MLB history. García’s 22 RBIs shattered the record for the most RBIs in a single season, surpassing David Freese’s previous record of 21. The ALCS MVP also set a new record by driving in 15 runs in a single series against the Houston Astros. García’s exceptional hitting prowess was further highlighted by his achievement of hitting a home run in five consecutive games, from Game 4 of the ALCS to Game 1 of the World Series. Had it not been for an unfortunate injury in Game 3 of the World Series, García could have widened the gap between his record and Freese’s.
Corey Seager’s Home Run Heroics
Corey Seager, the World Series MVP, showcased his affinity for home runs throughout the Fall Classic. His three home runs in the World Series set a new record for the most home runs by a shortstop in a single World Series. Notably, Seager’s game-tying two-run home run in the ninth inning of Game 1 was the hardest-hit World Series home run in the StatCast era, clocking in at an impressive 114.5 miles per hour. Additionally, Seager broke a record previously held by Barry Bonds by earning nine walks in the ALDS sweep of the Baltimore Orioles, including a postseason-record five walks in Game 2 of the series.
Evan Carter’s Record-Breaking Postseason
21-year-old rookie Evan Carter left an indelible mark on MLB history with his exceptional postseason performance. Carter set a new MLB record by hitting nine doubles throughout the playoffs, surpassing the previous record held by David Freese, Albert Pujols, Mookie Betts, and Ben Zobrist. Carter’s achievements extended beyond this record, as he became the youngest player in MLB history to achieve five extra-base hits in his first six playoff games. He also became the first player in MLB history to record a walk, an extra base hit, and a run scored in each of his first three playoff games. Carter’s remarkable performance continued as he became the youngest player in postseason history to reach base 13 or more times in his first five playoff games. Additionally, his 10 total walks tied the record for the most-ever by a rookie in a single playoff run.
Marcus Semien’s Plate Appearances Record
Marcus Semien, the Rangers’ ironman second baseman, etched his name in the record books by setting the all-time record for the most plate appearances in a single season, combining regular and postseason games. Semien’s 835 plate appearances surpassed the previous record held by Lenny Dykstra. Semien’s remarkable durability was evident as he played in all 162 regular season games and all 17 playoff contests. His final plate appearance of the postseason culminated in a championship-sealing two-run home run in Game 5 of the World Series.
The Team’s Home Run Streak
The Rangers’ power-hitting prowess was on full display throughout the postseason, as they hit a home run in all 17 of their playoff games. This remarkable streak set a new record for the longest consecutive games with a home run in a single postseason. The team’s total of 30 home runs led all playoff teams, with notable contributions from Adolis García, Corey Seager, Josh Jung, Nathaniel Lowe, Jonah Heim, and Mitch Garver.
Nasty Nate’s Historic Postseason
Texas’ right-handed ace, Nathan Eovaldi, etched his name in the history books with his exceptional postseason performance. Eovaldi’s five wins as a starting pitcher set a new record for the most postseason wins by a starting pitcher. While other pitchers had achieved five postseason wins, Eovaldi’s perfect 5-0 record on the mound distinguished him from the rest. His record-breaking victory came in the title-clinching fifth game of the World Series.
Big Willy Style: Will Smith’s Three-Peat
Left-handed reliever Will Smith made history by becoming the first player in MLB history to win three consecutive World Series championships with three different teams. Smith previously won the 2021 World Series with the Atlanta Braves and appeared in 24 regular-season games for the Houston Astros in 2022. Although he did not pitch in the playoffs for the Astros, Smith played a crucial role in the Rangers’ postseason run, pitching in five games, including two appearances in the World Series.
Notable Tidbits
In addition to the major records broken by the Rangers, several notable statistical nuggets emerged throughout their postseason journey. In Game 4 of the World Series, the Rangers became the first team in postseason history to score five or more runs with two outs in multiple innings. The team also achieved an impressive 11-0 record in the postseason when scoring the game’s first run, setting a new record for the longest streak within a single postseason. Furthermore, the Rangers’ road dominance was evident in their remarkable plus-42 run differential, the highest ever recorded in a single postseason.
The Texas Rangers’ historic World Series victory will forever be remembered as a defining moment for the franchise. Their record-breaking performances and exceptional team efforts have solidified their place in baseball history.
Texas Rangers Make Franchise and Baseball History with First-Ever World Series Title
The Texas Rangers achieved a remarkable feat on Wednesday by winning their first-ever World Series title against the Arizona Diamondbacks. This historic victory not only marked a milestone for the franchise but also set several new records in Major League Baseball.
Road Warriors: Unbeatable on the Road
One record that defined the Rangers’ championship run was their flawless performance on the road. They became the first team in postseason history to achieve an 11-0 record away from home. This remarkable feat not only set a new record for the most road wins in a single postseason but also established the longest road winning streak in postseason history. The Rangers’ road dominance included four wins against the Houston Astros in the ALCS and three consecutive victories at Chase Field in Phoenix to secure the championship.
Adolis García: The Record-Breaking Producer
Adolis García emerged as a standout player for the Rangers during the postseason. His exceptional performance led him to break the record for the most RBIs in a single season, surpassing David Freese’s previous record of 21. García’s 22 RBIs included a walk-off home run in the 11th inning of Game 1 of the World Series. Additionally, he set a new record for the most runs driven in a single series with 15 against the Astros in the ALCS. Despite a minor injury, García’s contributions were instrumental in the Rangers’ success.
Corey Seager: Power and Patience
Corey Seager, the World Series MVP, showcased his prowess as a shortstop by setting a new record for the most home runs by a shortstop in a single Fall Classic. His three home runs, including a game-tying two-run shot in the ninth inning of Game 1, left a lasting impact. Seager also broke a record previously held by Barry Bonds by earning nine walks in the ALDS, the most in division series history. Despite his patience at the plate, Seager maintained an impressive batting average of .318 throughout the playoffs.
Evan Carter: Rookie Sensation
Rookie Evan Carter made a name for himself by setting a new MLB record for the most doubles in a postseason with nine. His consistent performance throughout the playoffs helped solidify the Rangers’ lineup. Carter also achieved several other notable milestones, including becoming the youngest player in MLB history to record five extra-base hits in his first six playoff games and the youngest player to reach base 13-plus times in his first five playoff games. His contributions as a rookie were invaluable to the team’s success.
Marcus Semien: Ironman at the Plate
Marcus Semien, the Rangers’ second baseman, etched his name in the record books by setting the all-time record for the most plate appearances in a single season, combining regular season and playoffs. With 835 plate appearances, Semien’s durability and consistency were unmatched. He played in every regular season game and all 17 playoff games, culminating in a championship-sealing two-run home run in Game 5 of the World Series.
Team Efforts and Notable Tidbits
The Rangers’ success was not solely reliant on individual performances. The team set a new record by hitting a home run in 17 consecutive playoff games, the longest streak in a single postseason. Their total of 30 home runs led all playoff teams. Pitcher Nathan Eovaldi also made history by earning five wins as a starting pitcher in the playoffs, the most ever recorded. Left-handed reliever Will Smith became the first player in MLB history to win three consecutive World Series championships with three different teams.
Other notable records and achievements include the Rangers being the first team in postseason history to score five-plus runs with two outs in multiple innings, their 11-0 record when scoring the game’s first run, and their impressive plus-42 run differential on the road, the highest ever in a single postseason.
The Texas Rangers’ journey to their first World Series title was filled with record-breaking performances and teamwide efforts. Their resilience, skill, and determination propelled them to make franchise and baseball history. The Rangers’ triumph will forever be remembered as a remarkable achievement in the annals of Major League Baseball.