Sometimes, it’s a single moment that defines an entire game—or an entire season. For the Texas Rangers, it was a moment they could have scripted from a Hollywood movie. The hero? Corey Seager, the former World Series MVP for LA, who is now a star shining brightly in Texas.
Down but Not Out
Facing a 5-3 disadvantage in the bottom of the 9th inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks, it was Seager’s turn to step onto the din-lit stage at Globe Life Field. His teammates and tens of thousands of fans held their collective breath, anxious for a miracle. With a runner on first base, the count stood at one out—one out from disappointment, or one shot at redemption.
As Seager gripped his bat, squaring off against the first pitch, the vibe was tense, yet tinged with raw anticipation. And then – swish! He swung at the first pitch—sending it over the right field wall as smooth as butter melting on a hot griddle. And just like that, Globe Life Field transformed from anxious silence to an electric, jubilant uproar.
But if you’re a Dodgers fan reading this, you may be experiencing a twinge of nostalgia—or is it envy? Trust me, I get it. After all, Seager is a familiar sight on this diamond. Remember, Globe Life Field was the stage for the 2020 World Series, and we had plenty of “Seager moments” to relish then. But this time, it was about Texas, and I’d say Seager is mighty fine in the Lone Star State, wouldn’t you?
A Game-Changer on Home Turf
As a Texas Rangers shortstop, Corey Seager had a tough task on Friday night. Entering a World Series game showing a two-run trail on the scoreboard is not the most enviable position. But it’s how you turn the tide that makes the game.
Adding to the drama was Leody Taveras at the bottom of the 9th, who teased us with a quick lead-off walk. Just when Rangers fans nervously chewed their fingernails, up came Seager to truly steal the show.
Here’s what happened next—Seager didn’t hesitate. As if he could read the pitched ball like an open book, he swung at it with every ounce of belief. The result? Well, let’s just say the ball might not have landed yet! Yup, Seager slammed a mind-bending, momentum-shifting home run—balancing the scales and turning the tide. Now that’s what I call a game-changer!
The Sweet Sound of Success
Have you ever heard the sound of 42,472 ecstatic fans at Globe Life Field? It’s like a thunderclap that sends chills down your spine. And Fox’s Joe Davis, who was in charge of the commentary, delivered an unforgettable call of Seager’s homer. The noise was deafening, the roar of the crowd was electrifying —the ambiance at the field was simply surreal.
With just a smack of Seager’s bat, the air around the field dramatically changed gears. In front of their home crowd, from trailing 5-3, the Rangers flipped the script and brought the game to a standstill. Yes, you guessed it – extra innings!
And if we dive into Texas Rangers folklore, this moment finds its place right at the top. Take a moment to imagine this — two outs remaining, the gulf of two runs, and your team’s fate hanging in the balance. In such tense moments, heroes are born. And boy, what a time for Seager to get going!
Down 5-3, and Paul Sewald from the Diamondbacks breathing fire on the pitch, Seager stood unfazed. He stared right into the heart of the challenge and did what he does best. The ball left his bat like a bullet, with a swagger and style that would give any top scorer a run for their money.
Texas on Their Feet
Let me paint you a vivid picture of those next few moments.
The electrifying blue, white, and red crowd, like a pot waiting to boil over, finally burst into a deafening roar, celebrating Seager’s adrenaline-pumped homer. It was a sea of high-fives and fist-bumps in the dugout as Seager rounded third and bounded toward home base, his victory lap accompanied by the deafening cheers. The forthcoming hangover from Seager’s home run? Oh, I bet the Rangers will be nursing that sweet headache for a good stretch!
The roar was long, passionate, and so profound that it seemed to resonate for a good while even after Seager had disappeared into the safety of the dugout. But the reverberating aftermath of Seager’s heart-stopping moment didn’t just end there.
Corey Seager Steals the Show
“It’s hard to hit a bigger home run than what he did there, down two in the ninth,” recalled an amazed Texas manager Bruce Bochy. “He saved us there. You could see it in him.”
Seager, known to keep a poker face, is a rare blend of calm and steely resolve. Even amid the weight of such a crucial match, he didn’t falter. Instead, he took the pressure head-on, let loose one hell of a swing, and gave the fans a memory to cherish forever.
Indeed, this moment remains etched in Rangers’ history as the most emotive spectacle Seager has ever displayed on a baseball field. To put it in the words of Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, “He’s just going nuts and nuts,” adding that it was a welcome deviation from Seager’s usually composed demeanor during the regular season.
Josh Jung, the Rangers’ third baseman, couldn’t help pointing out the goosebumps-inducing thrill. He said, “After Corey’s home run, it’s just like blackout moments for everyone. I can only imagine what it was like for him — all the adrenaline rushing through his body.”
A Home Run That Will Go Down in History
Corey Seager always knew when to go big, and this was undoubtedly one of those moments. No sooner had he drilled the first pitch from Sewald—a 94 mph fastball — into the skies above the stadium, than he started celebrating.
Standing at home plate, bat still in hand, eyes following the trail of the ball, Seager gave a victorious howl. He then did something uncharacteristic, turning towards his dugout, an equally loud cheer was thrown to his teammates too.
His unparalleled control and icy calmness returned only once he rounded first base. It was then that he shifted gears, expressing his over-whelming happiness during his press meet, “Just excitement, obviously. It’s fun. This is the playoffs. This is kind of what it’s all about. So, it was a cool moment, for sure.”
But it’s not just the run that makes this moment unforgettable. It’s the wild, pure emotion that accompanied it—the stare, the disbelief etched on his face, the victorious bat flip, and the ecstatic dance around the bases.
Major Takeaways
Seeing him celebrate was one of those rare “we’re not in Kansas anymore” moments—game 1 at the World Series, a win in the bag, revelling in the excitement. Seager, usually reserved and primarily soft-spoken, was transformed. The extraordinary occasion had stripped away his layers of calm demeanor, revealing a celebration that was altogether a sight to behold.
As Marcus Semien, Texas Rangers All-Star second baseman, wisely said, “All he wants to do is win titles. He’s hungry for that opportunity.”
And boy, did he prove it! With 17 home runs under his belt in the postseason and third-most among outfielders like Derek Jeter (20) and Carlos Correa (18), the sound, the scream, and the starry sight of Seager around the bases were enough to send fans into a frenzy.
This was not just a game. It was history being made. And, as we’d like to rightfully remark, it was sheer Seager Magic!
