Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and David Ortiz are witnessing a thrilling ALCS that has stirred up memories of their own past. The Houston Astros are back in the 3-2 ALCS lead after surprisingly losing out the first two games to Texas. But the monster has been awoken, ready to devour.
Both teams are fighting to the death for their own reasons. While the Rangers are looking for their first-ever Fall Classic victory, the Astros want to defend their 2022 World Series crown. Friday’s game has Houston a little closer than Texas and it may all be thanks to a Rangers outfielder hitting a home run.
Martín Maldonado Credits Adolis García for Astros’ Wild Victory
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When Adolis García hit a go-ahead home run in the sixth, he paused to admire it before circling the bases. Oh, and did we mention the bat smashing? The theatrics went unappreciated by the Astros, and reliever Bryan Abreu hit Garcia in the ribs on the next pitch in the eighth. García was immediately incensed, thinking it was in retaliation for the moonshot and got in Astros catcher Martín Maldonado’s face.
"The worst thing he did was wake up the Houston Astros."
Martín Maldonado reacts to the exchange between himself and Adolis García as benches cleared in the 8th.@kevinburkhardt | @AROD | @davidortiz | @derekjeter pic.twitter.com/UHgUxIYeRP
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 21, 2023
What followed was a game-winning home run by José Altuve and that was that. Speaking to the FOX crew on what García said to Maldonado, the catcher had an interesting take. “The worst thing he did was wake up the Houston Astros,” the 37-year-old told Jeter, Papi, A-Rod, and Kevin Burkhardt.
Before the benches clearing moment, the Rangers had firmly been in the lead but Houston would not relent too easily. Altuve’s home run cemented their 5-2 lead, giving a third ALCS victory to the Stros. The reigning World Series champions are looking to repeat history yet again. Meanwhile, FOX’s veteran crew is reliving their past.
Houston Astros Comeback Brings Back Iconic 2004 ALCS Memories
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Most will remember, but for the unversed, 2004 was a special year in baseball. The New York Yankees were a dynasty, winning World Series after World Series. Their archrivals, meanwhile, had been in a long 86-year drought due to possibly the ‘Curse of the Bambino’. The Boston Red Sox met the Yankees in the ALCS, but the Bronx led the first three games. They were expected to win it all.
But shockingly, the BoSox made a comeback, the only team to do so in a 3-0 deficit, and won the Championship Series. Not only that, but they also clinched the Fall Classic in a legendary victory. A-Rod, Jeter, and Ortiz were all part of it and as they reunite on FOX, Houston’s comeback has brought up old memories.
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WATCH THIS STORY – Astros Embroiled in Cheating Controversy Following ALCS Victory
But as Derek Jeter would say, anything can happen, even at this stage in the game.