Odd path to playoffs: Kratz, Voit, Brasier take longer road
Unheralded players making most of chances
Of course Erik Kratz kept hoping for a moment like this. That’s why he stuck around, through a dozen big league organizations, a couple of cruel demotions in the minors, a bunch of near-misses in October.
And the time he accidentally shot himself in the hand with a nail gun.
“I really feel like I’ve played my last game for the last 12 years because the game doesn’t owe anybody anything,” the Milwaukee catcher said. “When you understand that, you appreciate these times more than anything else.”
Luke Voit certainly never expected to hear crowds at Yankee Stadium chanting his name in October, especially when he was stuck at Triple-A for St. Louis in late July.
Ryan Brasier’s path to these playoffs was unusual, too. The Red Sox reliever is a rookie — even though he made his major league debut in 2013.
This postseason is full of stars, including Christian Yelich, Jose Altuve and Mookie Betts. Ronald Acuna Jr., Miguel Andujar and Walker Buehler are among the many talented newcomers.
To see them here, now, that’s probably not a huge surprise. But Kratz? Still scrapping at 38, he was a .211 career hitter in the bigs, the very definition of a veteran backup catcher. He did have a piece of World Series jewelry, however — he went 0-for-4 in the regular season for Kansas City in 2015 and even though he was nowhere near the playoff roster, the At 38, the Brewers’ Erik Kratz became the oldest position player to start in his postseason debut since 1905. Royals rewarded him with a ring.
Kratz was in the minors this June when the Yankees traded him to Milwaukee for a player to be named. He impressed the Brewers with his work regimen and knowledge, and produced enough to earn a spot in the playoffs.
Against Colorado last week, he became the oldest position player to start in his postseason debut since Lave Cross for the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1905 World Series.
“Lave Cross from Milwaukee, yeah, he was a really good third baseman. We played together in rookie ball,” Kratz kidded.
“It’s something that is part of history, so maybe in 113 years, some dude is going to be like, Erik Kratz — is it Kratz? What is that?” he said.
No joke: Kratz went 5for-8 in the NL Division Series sweep of the Rockies, and his Milwaukee teammates started chanting “MVP! MVP!” at him in the bubbly-soaked clubhouse.
“It’s gone from an unsung season to kind of a front-and-center role right now,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said.
Brasier’s trip to this postseason also took several turns. He seemed to be off to a good start as rookie with the Angels in 2013, putting together a 2.00 ERA in seven relief appearances.
That was before Tommy John surgery, more time in the minors and a detour to Japan. He signed with the Red Sox in spring training, returned to the majors shortly before the All-Star break and kept a spot in the Boston bullpen.
At 27, Voit’s trek wasn’t so winding. Rather, he was backed up in the minors for St. Louis behind star first baseman Matt Carpenter.
Dealt to the Yankees shortly before the July 31 trade deadline for Giovanny Gallegos and Chasen Shreve, Voit got off to a slow start and seemed to be a backup for Greg Bird, at best.
But then, his huge swing started clicking. .