ALCS MVP Giancarlo Stanton finally being recognized as a perfect Yankee
Giancarlo Stanton’s home run in game five may have been overshadowed by Juan Soto’s game-winning blast in the 10th inning, but his unprecedented contributions to this Yankees run were not forgotten by the time the Bombers clinched their first pennant in 15 years.
As the Yankees celebrated their ALCS victory on the field, Stanton was awarded the ALCS MVP, a no-brainer choice after hitting four home runs in the five-game series, including a go-ahead home run in game three and a game-tying home run in game five. His three-run home run in game four gave the Yanks just enough cushion to hang on for a win and set up the clinching game five.
For all the criticism Stanton has faced since arriving before the 2018 season, all the slugger has done is produce in October. In Yankees Universe, the playoffs is all that matters, and by that standard, Stanton has been worth every penny of his $325 million contract.
Through 36 postseason games, no player in baseball history have hit more home runs than Stanton. Several of them have been incredibly clutch, like the last three he has hit in the postseason. This playoff run was just a continuation of what Stanton has done since he cranked a moonshot off Blake Treinen in his first playoff game in pinstripes during the 2018 American League Wild Card Game. Sure, up until Saturday night, the Yanks hadn’t gotten to a Fall Classic with Stanton in the fold, or even as close as they did the year before Stanton arrived, but that was never on Stanton, who has always been a playoff machine.
Now, he finally has the hardware, and widespread appreciation, that he has always deserved.
If you look past the frustrations of his injury issues in the regular season, Stanton has been the epitome of a Yankee, and all that the fanbase hopes to see in a player. Undeniably clutch, reliable when it matters most, and never missing a chance to say exactly what fans want to hear. After his titanic blast in game four to put the Yankees on the brink of a pennant, he told reporters that the Yanks hadn’t accomplished anything yet. After another heroic moment in game five that led to the long-awaited clincher, he told MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, as he held the ALCS MVP trophy, that it wasn’t the trophy he came to New York to win. It’s all about a title.
For Yankee fans, that’s what it’s always been about. Playoff production and a relentless desire to win. Stanton has checked all of those boxes for years, and his universal appreciation is long overdue.
