In a historic victory for the Los Angeles Dodgers over the New York Yankees, Andy Pagés etched his name in the annals of baseball by becoming the third Cuban player to clinch a World Series title in his debut Major League Baseball (MLB) season. The center fielder's achievement places him alongside the illustrious Bárbaro Garbey and Orlando "El Duque" Hernández, who also ascended to championship glory in their first year at the "Big Show."
A Historic Achievement for Cuban Baseball
Renowned sports journalist Francys Romero highlighted this milestone on social media, noting that Garbey secured his championship ring with the Detroit Tigers in 1984, while "El Duque" played a pivotal role in the Yankees' 1998 success. Pagés, at just 23, began the year in Triple A, but his standout performances earned him a call-up to the MLB, where he remained on the playoff roster through the final showdown.
Dodgers' Triumph and Individual Accolades
On Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their eighth World Series victory (adding 2024 to their previous wins in 1955, '59, '63, '65, '81, '88, and 2020), after a narrow 7-6 win over New York, concluding the series 4-1. Freddie Freeman, the first baseman, was hailed as the 2024 World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP), having hit home runs in the first four games—six consecutive including the prior series—along with crucial hits in pivotal moments.
During the final clash, Freeman delivered a two-run single and matched the Autumn Classic record with 12 RBIs, a feat first set by Bobby Richardson in 1960 over seven games. Despite the Yankees' historical dominance with 27 titles, their last triumph came in 2009, leaving them still at the top as the most successful franchise in history.