october heroics
Listen to the call of José Altuve's walkoff homer in 3 different languages — including Russian
There's probably an easy cliché somewhere here about how the smallest guy on the field came up with the biggest hit of the series, but Houston Astros second baseman José Altuve is more than his 5 foot 6 inch frame — he's simply one of the best players in Major League Baseball. And he proved it again Saturday evening.
The Astros are returning to the World Series for the second time in three seasons after defeating the New York Yankees, 6-4, in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series. It was a hard fought game, as both teams utilized their bullpens to the max. Houston jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, but the Yankees clawed their way back in eventually tying the game in the top of the 9th inning behind a two-run home run from first baseman D.J. LeMahieu.
But Altuve launched a two-run walkoff homer in the bottom half of the inning off Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman to seal the series victory, winning ALCS Most Valuable Player in the process. Watch the moment below, with calls in English, Spanish, and even Russian.
Houston will host the National League Champion Washington Nationals in the World Series, which begins Tuesday. Read more at ESPN and MLB.com.