Naylor's history-making postseason ends

Ontario Blue Jays and Junior National Team alum Josh Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) made history for the Cleveland Indians this postseason. Photo: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

October 1, 2020

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

With their 10-9 loss last night, the Cleveland Indians were swept in their Wild Card series against the New York Yankees, but not before Canadian slugger Josh Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) made Major League Baseball history.

The former Ontario Blue Jays and Junior National Team member was the Indians’ hottest hitter in the series, going 5-for-7 (.714 batting average) with three doubles, a home run and three RBIs in the two games.

With this offensive output, Naylor, who was acquired by the Indians from the San Diego Padres along with fellow Canuck Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.) at the August 31, achieved a number of notable firsts.

Here’s a summary of Naylor’s firsts (as well as other significant historical accomplishments) as highlighted on Twitter:

Josh Naylor becomes the first player in MLB history to record a hit in each of his first five career postseason plate appearances.

— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) October 1, 2020

Josh Naylor is 5-5, the most consecutive hits ever to begin a player's postseason career.

He's also just the 2nd player to have 4 XBH in his first 5 career postseason AB (only other player is our own Chris Burke with 4 in 2005.)

h/t @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/c9CsqfJkwt

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 1, 2020

#OurTribe Josh Naylor is the first Canadian in history with 4 extra base hits in his first 2 career playoff games.

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) October 1, 2020

The Cleveland Indians franchise has been active since 1901.

Tonight Josh Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) became the first 🇨🇦Canadian to hit a HR for the club in the postseason.@baseballcanada @OntarioBlueJays https://t.co/RXsejn07FP

— Kevin Glew (@coopincanada) September 30, 2020

How good was Canadian @JoshNaylor44 last night? He tied a Canadian playoff record with 4 hits in a game. (Larry Walker Oct 23, 2004 and Terry Puhl Oct 12, 1980). @IndiansPR @Indians @SNETCampbell pic.twitter.com/AXp9FRNsWh

— Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum (@CDNBaseballHOF) September 30, 2020

To expand on this further, Josh Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) is the first Canadian ever to have 4 hits in a postseason game for an American League team.

Walker and Puhl both played for National League clubs. https://t.co/UfXJSCubnN

— Kevin Glew (@coopincanada) September 30, 2020

Last night Josh Naylor became the 11th Canadian to hit a homerun in the playoffs. Walker, Martin, O'Neill, Bay, Selkirk, Morneau, Saunders, Koskie, Stairs and McKay are the others. Larry Walker leads with 7 career playoff homeruns. @SNstats @Indians pic.twitter.com/406Rey9An5

— Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum (@CDNBaseballHOF) September 30, 2020

Josh Naylor went 4-4 last night and was a triple shy of the cycle.#OurTribe pic.twitter.com/WDoo24GGZP

— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) September 30, 2020