The big hit in the New York Yankees’ epic 6-5 win over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday was not delivered by stars Aaron Judge or Juan Soto. Alex Verdugo’s RBI single in the seventh inning snapped a 5-5 tie, the final blow in a see-saw battle that witnessed five lead changes — a postseason record.
Verdugo endured the worst season of his career in 2024. From July 1 onward, he hit .219 with a .589 OPS. During the All-Star break, a doctor told him he was allergic to his batting gloves. He was not in the starting lineup for nine of the Yankees’ final 18 regular season games. He finished the season with career lows in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage.
More news: Scuffling Yankees Hitter is Allergic to His Batting Gloves: Report
What was it that allowed Verdugo to rise to the occasion in the Yankees’ biggest game of the season?
“He’s played in big cities before,” teammate Jazz Chisholm told reporters, including Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. “He played in Boston. He played in LA — and I’m not talking about the Angels.”
Jazz Chisholm on Alex Verdugo:
“He’s played in big cities before. He played in Boston. He played in LA — and I’m not talking about the Angels.”
— Brendan Kuty 🧟♂️ (@BrendanKutyNJ) October 6, 2024
Verdugo was drafted and developed by the Dodgers and played the first three years (2017-19) of his major league career in Los Angeles. He never appeared in any playoff games with the Dodgers, but he did contribute to three National League West division title winners.
In Feb. 2020, Verdugo was traded to the Boston Red Sox in the package that sent Mookie Betts to Los Angeles.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 30: Alex Verdugo #24 of the New York Yankees celebrates with Jazz Chisholm Jr #13 after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in the twelfth inning at Citizens Bank Park on July 30, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Yankees defeated the Phillies 7-6. Chisholm praised Verdugo with a somewhat backhanded compliment.
Heather Barry/Getty Images
If Chisholm was implying that the Los Angeles Angels haven’t played many meaningful regular season or postseason games, he isn’t wrong. They own the major leagues’ longest playoff drought, dating to their 2014 American League Division Series appearance.
Perhaps Chisholm was feeling a bit self-conscious about this Sunday when he took to social media to apologize.
“Didn’t mean to offend you Angels fans,” Chisholm wrote on his Twitter/X account. “Sorry😓🫠 #lovedisney🤍”
Ironically, the Angels won their only World Series when they were owned by the Walt Disney Company, in 2002. Since 2003, they have been owned by Arte Moreno. Many Angels fans have turned on Moreno amid the team’s recent struggles.
More news: MLB News: Owner Will Increase Payroll to End Longest Playoff Drought in MLB
Chisholm, 26, likely isn’t familiar with the entire history of the Angels franchise. He might be confused about who owns the team, but at least he gets an “A” for geography. Angel Stadium is located in Anaheim, 30 miles southeast of Los Angeles.
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