2017 – In a surprising move, the Yankees announce that Joe Girardi will not return as manager in 2018, despite the fact that he took a young team that was not expected to contend to within one game of the World Series.
The Astros win a World Series game for the first time in franchise history as they defeat the Dodgers, 7 – 6, in 11 innings in Game 2 of the 2017 World Series. The Dodgers seem headed for a win as they lead, 3 – 2, in the top of the 9th, but closer Kenley Jansen surrenders a solo homer to Marwin Gonzalez to tie it, and in the 10th, Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa hit back-to-back shots off Josh Fields to give Houston a 5 – 3 lead. Ken Giles cannot nail down the win, however, as he gives up a solo homer to Yasiel Puig and a run-scoring single to Kiké Hernandez. In the 11th, the Astros again score two, on a two-run blast by George Springer off Brandon McCarthy, and while Charlie Culberson hits the eighth homer of the game off Chris Devenski with two outs in the bottom of the 11th, the Dodgers fall short by one run. The 8 homers set a World Series record, while the 5 hit in extra innings are a record for any game, postseason or regular season.
2017 – On an unseasonably warm day in Los Angeles, CA where the temperature is above 100 degrees at game time, the Dodgers defeat the Astros, 3 – 1, in Game 1 of the World Series as Clayton Kershaw is the winner over Dallas Keuchel. All four runs score as the result of long balls, and Justin Turner’s two-run shot with two outs in the 6th is the difference maker after Chris Taylor and Alex Bregman trade solo shots.
The Mets hire Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway to be their new manager, replacing Terry Collins.
The Red Sox announce that they have hired Astros bench coach Alex Cora to be their new manager. He replaces John Farrell, who was let go on October 11th after seeing the team eliminated in the Division Series for the second straight year.
The Astros win Game 7 of the ALCS, 4 – 0, over the Yankees to clinch their-first ever American League pennant. Having also won one in the National League in 2005, they become the first team to have done so in both major leagues. In the game, the Astros get a great combined pitching performance by Charlie Morton, who goes the first five innings, and Lance McCullers, who pitches the last four, limiting the Yankees to just three hits. Evan Gattis and Jose Altuve hit solo homers and Brian McCann drives in two runs, as CC Sabathia is charged with the loss.
In an unexpected move, the Nationals announce that Dusty Baker will not be back as the team’s manager next year. Baker is coming off consecutive division titles, but the Nats exited the postseason early both years. Also on the managerial front, the Tigers announce that they have hired former Minnesota Twins skipper Ron Gardenhire to replace the fired Brad Ausmus.
The Astros force a Game 7 in the ALCS by defeating the Yankees, 7 – 1, in Game 6. Justin Verlander has another great performance, with 7 scoreless innings, and Houston scores three times in the 5th against Luis Severino on a double by Brian McCann and a two-run single by Jose Altuve. Aaron Judge brings the Yankees close with a monster home run off Brad Peacock in the 8th, but Altuve leads off the bottom of the inning with a solo shot off David Robertson, starting a four-run inning that puts the game away.
2017 – The Dodgers are headed to the World Series for the first time since 1988 with an 11 – 1 win over the Cubs in Game 5 of the NLCS. They chase José Quintana in the 3rd inning, before Kiké Hernandez delivers the killer blow with a grand slam against Hector Rondon, his second homer of the game, which extends the lead to 7 – 0. Hernandez adds a third homer in the 9th to complete a great day. Chicago scores its only run on a solo homer by Kris Bryant off Clayton Kershaw, who picks up the win with 6 strong innings. Justin Turner and Chris Taylor share the NLCS MVP Award.
The Yankees win their third straight game in the ALCS to take a 3 games to 2 lead over Houston. Masahiro Tanaka baffles the Astros’ hitters over 7 innings, giving up just 3 hits and a walk, while the Yankees take a lead in the 2nd on an RBI single by Greg Bird and keep gradually adding to it until finishing with a 5 – 0 win.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!