Rookie makes history as Astros close in on World Series
He’s played remarkably well. He’s really carried us for a while here through this postseason.
Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker on Jeremy Pena
Jeremy Pena trotted around third base, looked towards the Houston dugout and gave the most casual twohanded shrug you’ll ever see on a ballfield.
Like it was any routine game in May. Only this was November. In the World Series. In the biggest game of his life. Yep, this Pena post-season just keeps getting better and better.
Showing the polish and poise of a proven veteran, the 25-year-old Pena put on quite an all-around performance yesterday. He became the first rookie shortstop to homer in the World Series, added two key singles and made a critical leaping catch in a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 5.
“Rookie or not rookie, it doesn’t matter,” Pena said. “We’re in the World Series. You just go out and play. Go compete and let the best man win.”
Having already won the American League Championship Series MVP award and a Gold Glove in the last two weeks, the emerging star from the Dominican Republic helped Houston move one win away from the ultimate prize — the World Series trophy.
Ahead 3-2 in the match-up with the Phillies, it’s hard to imagine now the Astros started the season with many fans wondering how they would replace All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa, who signed with Minnesota as a free agent.
“I never saw it as having to fill shoes,” Pena said. “I just had to come in and be myself, play my game. But at the end of the season, once we accomplish our goal, which is to go all the way, then I’ll sit down and reflect on the journey. But there’s still work to do and we’ve got to lock in.”
Again proving the biggest moments in baseball aren’t too big for him, the expressive and exuberant Pena grounded a hard RBI single up the middle in the first inning, then reached high to spear Nick Castellanos’ liner to thwart a potential rally in the third.
In the fourth, Pena lofted a goahead, solo drive into the left-field seats for a 2-1 lead and chased Phillies starter Noah Syndergaard.
“It felt good off the bat but I didn’t know if it was enough,” Pena said. “I was running normal and then when the umpire signalled, that’s when I started jogging.”
No wonder manager Dusty Baker and the Astros love him so much.
“Well, he came into camp as a young player. He had his eyes open. He always paid attention. You could tell he was very attentive and confident but quiet,” Baker said.
“Boy, he’s played remarkably well. He’s really carried us for a while here through this post-season, and that’s especially tough for a young player, a young shortstop. And I’m just glad we have him.”
Pena showed he could play small ball, too, adeptly delivering a hit-andrun single that set up a much-needed insurance run in the eighth.
The three-hit show made Pena 8 for 21 (.381) with a pair of doubles to go along with the homer in the World Series. That’s all come after he was 7 for 16 (.353) with two home runs and two doubles in the four-game sweep of the Yankees in the ALCS.
“Every once in a while, these guys come along — not that often,” said Baker. “His future is very bright.”