Phoenix, Ariz. (WGR 550) - For the first time in the franchise's 63-year history, the Texas Rangers sit atop the baseball world.
It was quite the historic run to a World Series title for the Rangers in the 2023 Fall Classic, as Texas wins its first championship with a five-game series victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Entering the MLB Postseason as the fifth-seed in the American League, the Rangers pulled off a perfect 11-0 record on the road, which included four wins away from Globe Life Field in the ALCS against the Houston Astros, as well as three wins in the World Series in Arizona.
After splitting the first two games of the World Series at home, the Rangers managed to take Games 3 and 4 at Chase Field, setting up for a chance to win their first title in Game 5 on the road.
After Zac Gallen pitched six innings of no-hit baseball for the Diamondbacks, the Rangers finally figured out the 28-year-old when World Series MVP Corey Seager got on base with an opposite field single. After Evan Carter doubled to advance Seager to third base, Mitch Garver singled to center field to score Seager and give the Rangers a 1-0 lead.
Then in the ninth inning, after a pair of singles from Josh Jung and Nathaniel Lowe, Western New York native Jonah Heim singled to center field, scoring both Jung and Lowe after Diamondbacks centerfielder Alek Thomas misplayed the ball.
Two batters later, Rangers shortstop Marcus Semien sent a baseball into the left-centerfield bleachers to extend the Texas lead to 5-0.
From there, it was a 1-2-3 inning for the Rangers from pitcher Josh Sborz, who gets credit for the save in 2.1 innings of work.
While Heim didn't stand out at the plate in his five games played in the World Series, the 2013 graduate of Amherst High School was certainly impressive in his work behind the plate for the Rangers.
Heim didn't get his first hit of the World Series until a Game 4 win in Arizona, but it was a big one, as he sent a ball just over the right field wall for his third home run of the postseason.
In his 19 plate appearances in the Fall Classic, Heim picked up just two hits, scoring three runs, picking up two RBIs, two walks and four strikeouts.
Heim was the first Western New York native to play in the World Series since Lewiston's Kevin Siegrist pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2013. He was the most recent position player from Western New York to play in the World Series since Dave Hollins from Orchard Park played 30 years ago at third base for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Neither Siegrist nor Hollins were able to win a World Series in their appearances in the Fall Classic.
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Meanwhile, Seager wins his second-career World Series MVP honor, becoming the fourth player in baseball history to do so. He first earned the honor in 2020 while playing with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Seager led the way for the Rangers throughout the World Series, hitting three homers and driving in six runs during the five games.
As for manager Bruce Bochy, the 68-year-old wins his fourth World Series title after winning three championships with the San Francisco Giants between 2010 and 2014. He came out of retirement this past offseason to manage the Rangers, and now becomes the sixth manager in baseball history to win four or more World Series titles.
It's third time's the charm for the Rangers after losing out on the World Series in back-to-back years in 2010 and 2011.
The Rangers have called Arlington, Texas home for 52 years after playing as the Washington Senators for 11 seasons from 1961 to 1971.