Ten Greatest Latino Moments in MLB Postseason History

A Marlins victory spawned a generation of kids interested in a game other than soccer. A walk-off double is credited for saving baseball in Seattle. And an MVP speaking Spanish gives goosebumps to this day.

Over the decades, there have been great individual performances in the postseason that won games. There have been others that changed the history of teams, cities and nations.

As the 2019 postseason progresses to the league championship series, we look back at some remarkable moments authored by Latino players on the game’s biggest stage.

First our honorable mentions. These four tremendous moments didn’t make the cut.

• José Bautista’s epic bat flip vs. Texas in the 2015 ALDS
• Andruw Jones homers in first two at-bats as a teenager in 1996 World Series vs. the Yankees.
• Pablo Sandoval’s three-homer game in the 2012 World Series.
• George Springer’s five home runs in the 2017 World Series.

Here are our top 10 Latino moments in postseason history.

10. 1992 NLCS
Francisco Cabrera’s single scores Sid Bream in Game 7

Atlanta faced Pittsburgh in the NLCS in 1991 and 1992. The series went seven games in both instances. The hero in Game 7 in 1992 was Cabrera, whose 196-game career would total 62 regular season RBI. Barry Bonds’ throw wasn’t in time and the Braves advanced to the World Series again.

9. 1999 ALDS
Pedro Martínez’s relief performance in Game 5

Pedro left Game 1 of the series because of an injury. In Game 5 in Cleveland, the Red Sox scored nine times in the first three innings of the game – but they gave up eight. Red Sox manager Jimy Williams brought Pedro out of the bullpen and he threw six innings of no-hit baseball to lock it down for Boston.

8. 2005 World Series
Ozzie Guillén becomes the first Latino manager to win the World Series.

Guillén spent 13 years playing shortstop for the White Sox. After his playing career ended, his journey took him back to Chicago’s south side as the manager. Behind four remarkable pitching performances and clutch hitting, the White Sox swept the Houston Astros to make Guillén the first Latino manager to win the Series.

7. 1997 World Series
Edgar Rentería walk-off

The first player from Colombia to appear in a World Series made his performance a memorable one. Julio Teheran, José Quintana and Jorge Alfaro have all pointed to this moment as the reason they wanted to play baseball.

6. 2003 NLDS
Iván Rodríguez hangs on for the win

Jeff Conine came up throwing. JT Snow was bearing down full speed. “Pudge” had to make the catch while blocking the plate and hang on to cement the victory. He did it, and held the ball high to let the world know the Marlins had won the game.

5. 1977 World Series
Reggie Jackson becomes Mr. October

Some moments define careers. Game 6 of the 1977 World Series changed Reggie Jackson’s name to Mr. October. Three mammoth home runs stole the show and made him an icon in the Bronx. This performance is still the measuring stick for power in the postseason.

4. 2004 ALCS
David Ortiz walk-off homer vs the Yankees

Big Papi became legend in the 14th inning of Game 4 of the ALCS. Fighting off elimination against the Yankees, Ortiz hit a bomb that shook Fenway Park and gave the Red Sox momentum to break the curse.

3. 1995 ALDS
Edgar Martinez walk-off double vs. Jack McDowell and the Yankees

Rumors were flying that Seattle might lose the Mariners to relocation. The city’s hopes rested on the shoulders of Edgar Martinez, who delivered in historic fashion against the favored Yankees. When Ken Griffey Jr. crossed the plate, baseball found a permanent home in the Pacific northwest.

2. 2001 World Series
Luis Gonzalez walk-off vs. Mariano Rivera

A series that featured President George W. Bush throwing out a first pitch strike in New York City less than two months after Sept. 11 and three blown saves came to a climax in the ninth inning of Game 7 on a Sunday night in November with the greatest closer in history facing the best batter in the Diamondbacks lineup.

1. 1971 World Series
Roberto Clemente speaking to his parents in Spanish

Moments after “The Great One” became the first Latino ballplayer to earn World Series MVP honors, Clemente asked his parents for La Bendición in his native tongue. El Profe wrote a tremendous column about the significance of this moment.

Featured Image: Bettman