Corey Seager takes questions at a press conference. Photo courtesy of apardavila/Flickr
Ben Staker
Associate Sports Editor
On Wednesday, Nov. 1 the Texas Rangers capped off the MLB season by defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks in game five of the World Series to capture their first championship in franchise history.
The World Series MVP went to Ranger’s shortstop Corey Seager. During the series, he had a .286 batting average, a .375 on-base percentage, and a .762 slugging percentage, while hitting three home runs and driving in six runs.
The Rangers and Diamondbacks split the first two games of the series, then Texas went on to win the next three.
What’s most interesting about this series is just a few years ago, both teams in this World Series matchup had over 100 losses. Also, neither team made the playoffs last year. For both of them to make the World Series this year was not something anyone could’ve predicted.
To make it to the World Series both teams had to win their previous series in seven games. The Rangers defeated the Houston Astros and the Diamondbacks defeated the Philadelphia Phillies. Going into both teams’ series, they were the underdogs, but they prevailed under postseason pressure to set up one of the most interesting World Series matchups in recent memory.
For Arizona, it was their first World Series appearance since they defeated the Yankees in 2001 for their first, and only, championship in franchise history.
As for Texas, this was their first World Series since they lost in back-to-back appearances in 2010 and 2011.
While this series only went to five games, it showed a bright future for both teams. One team walks away as World Series champions for the first time ever, and the other gets to use this loss as fuel for the upcoming MLB offseason.
