Torres putting himself in elite Yankees company
New York Yankees infielder Gleyber Torres has three hits and five RBIs for the New York Yankees’ 7-0 win over the Houston Astros in the first game of the American League Championship Series on Saturday. Photo: Andy Marlin, USA Today Sports
October 13, 2019
By Lukas Weese
Canadian Baseball Network
What were you doing at 22 years of age?
Most people are undergoing the latter stages of their undergraduate education, preparing for the next chapter in their life, whether it is graduate school or employment. Throw in socializing with friends as the main source of entertainment and fun for a young person.
Gleyber Torres, 22, is competing in his inaugural American League Championship Series for the New York Yankees against the Houston Astros who won 107 games during the regular season.
And in the series’ opener at Minute Maid Park on Saturday night, Torres was sensational. His five RBIs helped propel the Yankees to a critical 7-0 Game 1 victory.
Taking on former Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke, Torres did not shy away from the challenge. In addition to the five batters he brought home, Torres recorded three hits and a run.
“It’s Gleyber Day,’’ Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius said to reporters after the game. “It’s been like that. He always comes up clutch for the team. He’s playing like a veteran. His confidence level is always high.’’
Being in the playoffs as a youngster can be overwhelming. The lights are brighter, the stage is grander. But for Torres, the hoopla does not seem to bother him. Torres batted .417 with three doubles, one home run and four RBIs during the Yankees’ sweep of the Minnesota Twins during the ALDS.
And in a regular season where numerous Yankees players missed time due to injury, the 22-year-old Torres hit .278/.337/.535 with 38 home runs and 90 RBIs to earn his second All-Star Game appearance. This put him in elite Yankees company; Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio are the only other two Bronx Bombers to make two All-Star teams before the age of 23.
“During my career in the minor leagues I prepared really well for every situation,” said Torres to reporters post game. “I take all the experiences and now I just put all of them in my game. I just be patient and just go to the ballpark, play hard, and try to win all the games.”
Born and raised in Caracas, Venezeula, Torres remembers watching the Yankees teams that won three consecutive World Series championships from 1998 to 2000. He grew up idolizing Omar Vizquel, an 11-time Gold Glove shortstop, who was most famous for playing with the Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Indians.
Like Vizquel, Torres does not boast the most vocal personality in the clubhouse. But it is his calmness at the plate that’s one of his key assets. No situation seems too tense for the young second baseman, as evidenced by his hit to shallow centre field in the seventh inning in the ALCS opener that brought home two runs on Saturday. This was after Torres laid off two stellar pitches from Astros relief pitcher Ryan Pressly, going from a 1-2 to a 3-2 count.
“The guy’s a gamer,’’ said Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge. “He comes ready to play. It could be April 1 or it could be Oct. 10. It doesn’t matter. He comes ready to play."
Torres provided much of the offence for the Yankees on Saturday, while veteran right-hander Masahiro Tanaka allowed just one hit in six scoreless innings on the mound against a potent Astros offence. It was an important win for the Yankees given that they will face Astros’ co-aces Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole in the next two games.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone slotted Torres into the third spot in his order on Saturday and his decision paid off, as Torres became the youngest player in franchise history to register five RBIs in a postseason game.
The postseason requires players to immediately start thinking about the next game. The grounded Torres is not likely to bask in the glory of his Game 1 achievements, but rather, he’ll now be intently focused on Game 2 which will take place tonight.
And while many people at 22 are still figuring out what to do with their lives, Torres has already found his calling on the diamond. He’s already on the path to becoming one of the next great Yankees.