Alex Bregman and Juan Soto turned World Series Game 6 into the greatest show on earth
Much is made of the bat flip, one of baseball's most expressive methods of celebration. And that makes a ton of sense, as it's more or less a way of shouting "I'M THE KING OF THE WORLD" for a few seconds, at least, while rounding the bases after crushing a huge home run.
But after giving Houston a 2-1 lead with his first-inning blast in Game 6 of the World Series on Tuesday night, Alex Bregman didn't throw his bat to the heavens. No, he did something much more calm ... and a ton more dramatic, frankly.
He carried it with him all the way to first base, before dropping it in the exchange with Houston's first base coach.
Crush and carry. #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/R3rMe7EkYO
— MLB (@MLB) October 30, 2019
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Bregman's carry was eye-popping, and, of course, it was noticed by 21-year-old Nats phenom Juan Soto. So when he smashed a homer of his own off Justin Verlander in the fifth inning to put Washington on top, 3-2, he also carried his bat down the first-base line.
21 savage. #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/AcYp6Ypps5
— MLB (@MLB) October 30, 2019
It was an on-field "Yeah, I saw it, and I'm gonna do it too," which he explained as such after the game.
We've gotta protect Juan Soto at all costs.
— Cut4 (@Cut4) October 30, 2019
(via @MLBNetwork)pic.twitter.com/xkPkcvBhJy
This is it.
This is baseball drama of the highest degree, and I love it. It's the pinnacle of game-within-the-game showdowns.
Two of the game's brightest young stars staging a swag-off under the most intense of moments in the World Series, for millions to see? That's what it's all about.
Adrian Garro joined MLB.com in 2016. Throughout his travels, both Bartolo Colon and Vin Scully have placed their hands on his shoulders. Not at the same time, though. That'd be amazing.