What a journey for Mike Brosseau. The Tampa Bay Rays’ infielder went from undrafted in 2016, to postseason hero in 2020 against the New York Yankees. And not only did it happen against the Yankees; it came against flamethrowing closer Aroldis Chapman.
With Game 5 of the ALDS tied 1-1 in the top of the eighth inning, Brosseau capped off a 10-pitch battle with a go-ahead dinger off a 100 mph Chapman fastball.
That would be a series winning blast, in a 2-1 Rays victory. Here was the final out:
And here was the game-tying home run by Austin Meadows against Yankees ace Gerrit Cole in the top of the fifth:
https://twitter.com/thecomeback/status/1314732817247399938
Being the hero is awesome enough for Brosseau, but it had to feel even better after Chapman threw a 101 mph at his head in September.
So, this is sweet revenge. And it’s a fitting, deserving result for Kevin Cash’s Rays squad– who won the AL East by eight games — that continues to find all sorts of ways to win ballgames.
The Rays will now have the support of most baseball fans in the ALCS, where they’ll take on the Houston Astros.
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.