Springer rebounds, leads way to crown

LOS ANGELES — A helpful hint to future October managers:

Any time you’re asked about shaking up your lineup, or benching a particular player, or just doing something, for crying out loud, to stir your slumbering offense?

Tell George Springer’s story.

Recall the time when A.J. Hinch stuck with Springer, despite questions and doubts and demands, and received a World Series ring for his loyalty.

Springer, the Connecticut product and face of one of the boldest sports magazine forecasts ever, stood tallest Wednesday night as Houston looked its Strongest. The outfielder led the Astros to a 5-1 thumping of the Dodgers in World Series Game 7 at Dodger Stadium, giving the franchise its first title in its 56th year of existence.

In this winner-take-all contest, baseball’s third World Series Game 7 in four years, Springer started the festivities with a double into the left-field corner and a quick run, as he came around for the 1-0 Astros lead when Dodgers Cody Bellinger threw Alex Bregman’s grounder into the visitors’ dugout.

Then, in the second, Springer came to the plate with another two runs in, two outs and Marwin Gonzalez on second base. With Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts opting to keep his struggling starting pitcher Yu Darvish in the game, Springer teed off on a fullcount fastball and crushed it to center field for a two-run homer and a commanding 5-0 lead.

It was earlier in this Series, with Springer having gone .196/.281/.294 over a stretch of 13 postseason games, when Hinch faced questions about dropping Springer from the leadoff spot in the Astros’ lineup, or just benching him altogether. Hinch dismissed the questions as smallsample silliness. Then Springer started to hit, going 3-for-6 with a game-winning, 11th-inning, two-run homer in Game 2. His round-tripper Wednesday marked his fifth of the Series. In all, he slashed a terrific .379/.471/1.000.

Not bad for a guy who appeared on the June 30, 2014 cover of Sports Illustrated with the headline: “Your 2017 World Series Champs.” SI should pay Springer a commission. And Springer should thank SI for the challenge.

Managers everywhere, too, should be grateful to Hinch and Springer for showing that good things often can come to those who wait.