José Abreu’s first home run trot in an Astros uniform was a long time coming — and at the same time, unlike anything his teammates were expecting to see.
There was no shortage of power on Sunday afternoon as the Astros mashed a franchise-record-tying seven home runs in a 10-1 rout of the A’s — sealing the three-game sweep — but Abreu’s eighth-inning big fly was undeniably the main event.
That, and his ensuing dash around the basepaths.
Abreu didn’t stand around and watch the ball fly once it left his bat. The Astros’ first baseman sprinted around the bases at a 26.2 feet-per-second clip, not stopping once he crossed the plate.
It has been 35 years since a Major League player stole 80 or more bases in a season, but rookie Esteury Ruiz is on pace for the milestone in the same stadium Rickey Henderson long called home.
Among the most intriguing matchups on tap for the coming week are some division rivalries and a heavyweight showdown between the Yankees and Dodgers in Los Angeles.
Down 3-0 in a playoff series, normally all hope is lost. But the Red Sox famously rallied to stun the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS, and the Celtics are trying to duplicate the feat against the Heat.
Today’s Trivia Question
Who was the last A’s player to lead the American League in stolen bases?