One of the best stories coming out of the Blue Jays playoff run is about a rookie phenom who was born 10 years after they last won the world series.
Trey Yesavage was brilliant. He silenced the 52.000 fans at Dodger Stadium with a performance for the ages that set a number of records.
His 12 strikeouts were a rookie pitching record in the World Series. He is also the first ever pitcher to do that while issuing no walks. With him on the mound in total control, it felt like the game was ours to lose from the very first inning when we took the lead.
Remember though, he is only 22 years old. He was promoted to the triple-A Buffalo Bisons on August 11th. He made the Jays roster in mid-September just in time for the playoffs.
He started the year in SINGLE-A ball. His rise was meteoric. At every stop along the way, he impressed in a big way.
Yesavage posted a 5-1 record and 3.12 earned-run average across four minor-league levels this year. He made 22 starts over 25 appearances and held opposing batters to a ridiculously-low .158 batting average.
Watching him pitch last night was like seeing a masterpiece painted in real time. Every movement was calculated yet seemed effortless. The sinkers were so unhittable and yet so deceptive it was almost unfair.
The entire way, Yesavage was commanding, unflappable and absolutely deserving of the spotlight.
We likely won’t see him again in the World Series, but when we talk about it years from now I hope we don’t forget the rookie sensation who kept us in game one and dominated game five on the road when pitchers many years his senior looked far more ordinary.
I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.
(PAUL MARTIN)
