Cobb, Hornsby, Gehrig, Williams, Mantle, and Yastrzemski to name a few. It’s a rare blend of skill, power and timing. Only 17 players have done it, most recently Miguel Cabrera in 2012. In many ways, it’s the ultimate season accomplishment. The Triple Crown.
The pride of Las Tunas, Cuba has dazzled us for six months. By the time the final numbers are finalized this weekend, Yordan Alvarez will have increased with AB’s by over 400 from a season ago. It started early and it came in bunches. Before March
had even concluded, 19 total bases with a trifecta of homeruns on the board. The last time #44 wasn’t hitting .300 or above was back on March 28th, the third game of the slate. He’s dominated all three major categories, from average, to home runs and RBI.
Eduado Perez played 13 seasons in the majors and will be on ESPN’s call tonight. I spoke to Perez about Yordan’s potency at the plate.
“What makes Yordan so dominant is that there really isn’t a comfortable way to pitch him. He covers velocity, he handles spin, and even when you get him on two strikes, you still haven’t won the at-bat because he doesn’t have to sell out for power. What has impressed me most this season is the consistency. To be chasing a Triple Crown this late in the year when every opponent knows you’re the guy they cannot let beat them, tells you just how special a hitter he is.”
Although inevitably he’ll likely fall just shy, it wasn’t lost on Steve “Psycho” Lyons who played 9 seasons while also carving out an extended broadcasting career.
“I believe the Triple Crown is the hardest thing to accomplish as a hitter because power and average don’t go well together. You also have to factor in that guys that can typically hit 50 home runs, usually don’t run that well, so they aren’t getting any infield hits to help their average.”
I followed up by asking “Who did you think would chase it during your playing career?”
Without any hesitation the reply came out like a fastball.
“Frank Thomas was the one guy I played with that I thought had a legit shot at it.”
We’ll likely have to wait just a little bit longer.
