After Game #1 of the World Series, we wondered how the Arizona Diamondbacks were going to respond to a heavy defeat. After all, the victory had given the Rangers gas.
But last night, the DBacks proved, once again, that they deserve their place in the sun. Merrill Kelly, who starts from afar, was particularly extraordinary against a big attack.
There is another player to be congratulated on the Diamondbacks: Tommy Pham.
The veteran, acquired at the deadline to bring depth to an organization that had high aspirations, did his job yesterday by going 4-for-4 at the plate.
He also scored two of his team’s nine points.
It was his third four-hit game in the playoffs (not just in 2023), which allows him to join Albert Pujols in this regard.
Marte also became the first player since Pablo Sandoval (2012) to go 4-for-4 in a World Series game, which is no small thing.
The premier hitter, however, didn’t get a chance to try to become the first player in World Series history to go 5-for-5 as his manager pulled him from the game.
Why did he do that? Because Pham asked for it.
Pham confirmed on Instagram that he was the one who went to his manager to tell him to hit Jace Peterson. Peterson had never hit in a World Series.
I don’t know if Pham knew he had a chance at a record like this, but no matter: such a gesture shows that he is a team player.
Note also that he said this publicly not to brag, but to justify his manager’s decision and avoid nasty comments about him.
When you think about the fact that Pham had a tough playoffs and temporarily lost his position in the DBacks’ starting lineup in October, we see how much he cares about the club.
The one who recently (once again) criticized the effort of the players of the Mets, his former club, shows that he is ready to do anything to win.
Because yes, if Jace Peterson plays hero between now and the end of the series, we will have to say a big thank you to Pham, who gave him confidence during match #2.
I have a lot of respect for that.
