Soto powers Yanks to first World Series since '09

CLEVELAND – There's no doubting the man who knows Juan Soto best.

Soto stood in the batter's box at Progressive Field. Two on, two out, tie game, 10th inning, another classic between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday. A night of thrills and drama with the Yankees on their way to their first World Series appearance in 15 years. Another opportunity for Soto to deliver under pressure. And Juan Soto Sr. knew — he just knew — his son would come.

The trademark Soto change after taking the first pitch for a ball. Four straight pitches followed by knock-downs. His refusal to obey. The elder Soto felt his son was in his element.

“What he does: he performs in clutch,” he said in Spanish. “He works under pressure. And I had full confidence. I knew something was going to happen in that at-bat.”

What happened was a moment that will live forever on the Yankees highlight reel: a three-run home run on the first fastball from Hunter Gaddis to Soto. It was a 95 mph, letter-high offering that blasted off the Soto center field wall that ultimately sent the Yankees to a 5-2 victory in the World Series for the first time since 2009. They await the winner of the National League Championship Series between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“It's a great feeling to hit a homer and get the lead for the team,” Soto said. “And coming through big time.”

Soto's blast was the second extra-inning home run to win a postseason series in Yankees history, joining manager Aaron Boone's home run in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS against the Boston Red Sox. It was Soto's 10th career postseason home run, tied for the second-most in major league history by a player before his 26th birthday. Soto turns 26 on Friday – the day of Game 1 of the World Series.

“I remember being like, 'Oh my god,'” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “Prayer signed off. And then knew we had to put it in the bottom of the inning somehow, because these guys don't go easy.”

Luke Weaver accomplished that task, singled to toss a clean inning and rebound from his blown save in Game 3. Saturday's save sealed a game in which the Guardians led 2-0 with runs in the second and fifth innings. Yankees starter Carlos Rodon.

That set the stage for the Yankees' other October-moment-seizing star. Giancarlo Stanton stepped to the plate with Gleyber Torres on third base and two outs in the sixth inning. Standing on the mound was Tanner Bibby, who up until then had given the Guardians what they needed: 5⅔ scoreless innings. He shut out Stanton in their first two encounters. A third looked imminent when Stanton fell behind 0-2, but Beebe followed with three straight pitches that weren't enticing enough to chase Stanton.

So, Stanton waited. Finally, he got a slider that BB hung over the plate and he hit, smashing the baseball 117.5 mph off the bat and sending it 446 feet for a game-tying home run. It was the 34-year-old Stanton's third straight game with a home run, and all came with two strikes. It was his 16th home run in 36 career postseason games, passing Aaron Judge and Babe Ruth for the third most in Yankees history.

“It's a special moment for me,” said Stanton, who was named ALCS MVP. “It's a special time. But it's not the trophy I want. I want the next one.”

Stanton spoke on the field as his teammates celebrated with coaches, front office staff, support staff and family. Yankees fans fill sections of the seats behind their dugouts. They cheered when the players ran. They chant the names of the players. At times, they chant, “Re sine soto!”

Soto's impending free agency has been hanging in the background since the Yankees traded a flurry of talented players for him in December. They believed the risk, after a disappointing 82-80 season without a playoff appearance, was worth the chance. He was the ideal complement to Judge and a proven postseason performer they believed would have success playing in New York City. They were right.

“We have to have him,” Stanton said. “He'll stay. We've got to bring him home, then we'll bring him home too.”

As Cashman added, “That was the whole point of going all in. We gave up a lot and it was a one-year deal for a lot of money. And so it was a big chess move, no doubt, designed to increase our chances.” “

Those chances grew Saturday because Soto didn't deviate from the approach he took in every at-bat, whether during spring training in February or on the biggest stage in October. Every plate appearance is a one-on-one battle, an opportunity to intimidate the pitcher with every shuffle, every look down, every healthy hack.

Soto won another battle in the 10th inning Saturday against one of baseball's best relievers. When he did, the Yankees' dugout erupted, with players pouring onto the field after the ball landed. Soto stopped halfway down the first-base line, turned to his team and hit his chest twice with both hands. The ballpark, except for pockets of Yankees fans, fell silent.

“I wanted this from day one,” said Soto, who won the 2019 World Series with the Washington Nationals. “I've been saying this since spring training. Give me every tough moment. Give me every tough one [at-bat]. I'm going to step up to the plate and try to do my best.”

His father was watching from the stands. There was no doubt in his mind.

“I was confident,” the elder Soto said. “He was waiting for his pitch because he wasn't going to go with the pitcher's pitch. And like he told me, if he makes a mistake or if he repeats two times, it's gone. And that's how it went.”