‘I am Clutch’: Jorge Polanco is Turning into An October Legend for the Mariners

[ad_1] TORONTO – When Jorge Polanco went on an April home-run spree in contrast to something the Mariners had seen, they made up a brand new nickname for the veteran hitter.

"We name him George Bonds for a motive," J.P. Crawford stated. "The man is so locked in. He has a present."

'We Consider in Every Different' - Jorge Polanco on Mariners' Sport 2 Win over Blue Jays in ALCS The moniker, which compares Polanco to seven-time MVP Barry Bonds, took over the Mariners clubhouse firstly of this season. His teammates haven’t stopped calling him that since.

"He had like 20 homers in two days," Crawford embellished. "So it simply form of caught."

In reality, Polanco started the 12 months by lifting 9 house runs by his first 21 video games of the season, together with six house runs in a six-game span. It was a big improvement, contemplating Polanco completed the 2024 season with 16 house runs and an OPS+ of 92 in 118 video games performed. This wasn’t that very same man from final 12 months. This was George Bonds.

"As soon as he will get what he is in search of, he isn't lacking," Julio Rodriguez stated.

Jorge Polanco is a part of a formidable core in Seattle. (Picture by Olivia Vanni/MLB Images through Getty Photographs)

Watching Polanco’s red-hot manufacturing within the first month of the season, the Mariners began to consider they may actually do that. They might go all the way in which. Then Cal Raleigh slammed house runs and broke data. Then the entrance workplace added Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suarez to the roster on the commerce deadline. Then the Mariners gained the division. Possibly, simply possibly, that they had the makings of a World Collection workforce.

What started as a small hope has blossomed into the workforce’s actuality due largely to Polanco’s iconic postseason efficiency this October.

Polanco’s third house run of the postseason — a three-run shot from the left aspect within the fifth inning off right-hander Louis Varland — broke a tied recreation and gave Seattle the lead for good in Sport 2 of the American League Championship Collection. The Mariners’ 10-3 win over the Blue Jays on Monday was their second straight victory on the highway, giving them a 2-0 benefit within the ALCS earlier than the collection goes again to T-Cellular Park on Wednesday.

"I am clutch, however I am simply making an attempt to maintain it easy," Polanco stated. "I like to be in these conditions."

"It felt superb to get that ball over the wall" - Jorge Polanco on HR vs. Blue Jays No kidding. Polanco’s go-ahead three-run bomb on Monday got here after he broke the tied recreation on Sunday with an RBI single. And that got here after he ripped the walk-off hit within the fifteenth inning of Sport 5 of the ALDS. By the way in which, he additionally loved a two-homer day in Sport 2 of that collection, ripping each of these swings off none aside from the AL reigning Cy Younger winner, Tarik Skubal.

Polanco despatched the Mariners to the ALCS, and now they’re two wins away from advancing to the World Collection for the primary time in franchise historical past.

"He is been carrying this lineup this postseason," Raleigh stated of Polanco. "He is an enormous bat in the midst of that order, particularly being a switch-hitter. Having the ability to carry that weight is essential and he is a veteran man. He is aware of find out how to deal with his bat. He is been actually producing and understanding how he is getting attacked."

Polanco was traded to Seattle from Minnesota within the offseason earlier than the 2024 season. After spending 14 years within the Twins group, Polanco stated: "I’m not going to lie, it was arduous to depart Minnesota." His first season with the Mariners was a troublesome transition, not solely as a result of he was making an attempt to regulate to a distinct workforce with new faces, but additionally as a result of he was battling varied accidents all year long.

Then Polanco underwent knee surgical procedure this previous offseason and he returned to type. The 32-year-old was the second-best hitter within the Mariners lineup this 12 months, behind Raleigh, after slashing .265/.326/.495 with 26 house runs, 30 doubles, 78 RBI, 42 walks and an OPS+ of 134 in 138 video games. Polanco credit his switch-hitting success on the plate to with the ability to get decrease within the field once more. Final 12 months, he couldn’t use his legs as a lot as he's proper now.

"When he is wholesome, he is among the best gamers. That is simply the fact," stated Rodriguez, who loved a three-run house run of his personal within the first inning of Sport 2 on Monday. "There's quite a bit occurring behind the scenes. It is simple to say, 'Why is that this man not hitting?' However his well being was not there final 12 months. We noticed him battling by a variety of issues. However this 12 months he is been feeling higher after which you possibly can see what's occurring on the sector."

'He is very particular' – Julio Rodríguez on Jorge Polanco's large house run in Mariners' win vs Blue Jays Ask anybody within the Mariners clubhouse what’s been the distinction for Polanco this 12 months and the reply is his well being. However the surge in his second 12 months with the Mariners, when he might’ve signed wherever else as a free agent this previous winter, is what has made his efficiency spectacular. That he’s the one carrying the Mariners — when the lineup is flooded with family names like Randy Arozarena, Cal Raleigh, Josh Naylor, Eugenio Suarez, J.P. Crawford and Julio Rodriguez — is nothing wanting outstanding.

"We really feel momentum, particularly going house," Polanco stated. "Hopefully the workforce simply retains getting higher."

Unlikely heroes can flip into legends in October.

Simply ask outfielder Eddie Rosario, who helped the Atlanta Braves win the World Collection in 2021 with an otherworldly slashline (.383/.456/.617) and efficiency in 16 playoff video games in that October run. Now, Polanco is the primary participant in MLB historical past to have a go-ahead hit within the fifth inning or later in three consecutive postseason video games. He’s tied with Ken Griffey Jr. for probably the most go-ahead plate appearances (4) in a single postseason in Mariners franchise historical past.

"You by no means know what individuals are going to do within the playoffs till they get there," Mitch Garver stated. "He did this for Minnesota in 2023 towards the Astros within the ALDS. He hit a number of homers in that collection. He is all the time been a troublesome at-bat irrespective of the place he’s taking part in. I am comfortable to see him doing it now."

Mariners' DOMINATE Sport 2 of ALCS 🤯 Can Blue Jays BOUNCE BACK? Massive Papi, A-Rod & Jeter React! The Mariners are satisfied that Polanco is ending the 12 months similar to he began it. The one distinction is, now he’s bringing the George Bonds expertise to the nationwide stage.

"He is a troublesome out proper now," supervisor Dan Wilson stated. "It has been enormous for us, and he is come up in conditions the place we have had guys on, and he is been in a position to do the job and drive them in. That is what this recreation is all about. It has been phenomenal."

Deesha Thosar covers Main League Baseball as a reporter and columnist for FOX Sports activities. She beforehand coated the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Each day Information. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Deesha grew up on Lengthy Island and now lives in Queens. Observe her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.