- Yankees end 14-year drought and return to a World Series after some extra-inning heroics
- Alex Rodriguez flipping teams in New York as the Yankees legend cooks at Citi Field
Juan Soto hit a three-run homer with two outs in the 10th inning and the New York Yankees advanced to their 41st World Series - and first in 15 years - by beating the Cleveland Guardians 5-2 in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series on Saturday night.
Baseball's biggest brand is going back to October's main stage.
Soto, who was acquired in a seven-player trade with San Diego in December, moved the Bronx Bombers into position with one big swing.
The Yankees will try to win their 28th title against either the New York Mets or Los Angeles Dodgers. Game 6 of the NL Championship Series is on Sunday at Dodger Stadium.
In the 10th, Austin Wells walked with one out and Alex Verdugo followed with a grounder to second baseman Andrés Giménez, whose soft toss to the bag was dropped by rookie shortstop Brayan Rocchio for an error.
Gaddis struck out Gleyber Torres and had Soto in a 1-2 count before New York's stylish outfielder sent a shot over the wall in center. Soto danced down the first-base line and paused to celebrate with his teammates before circling the bases.
"I was just saying to myself, `You're all over that guy. You're all over that guy. He ain't got anything,'" Soto said.
The Yankees are back in the World Series, back where their fans expect them to be every year.
The club's 82-80, fourth-place finish in the AL East last season led to some "soul searching as an organization" during the winter, according to manager Aaron Boone, who has been widely criticized but is one of just three managers to take New York to playoffs in six of his first seven seasons.
Aaron Boone, New York Yankees manager (on taking the Yankees back to the World Series):
"I mean, it sounds so good when you say it like that. I mean, a lot of emotions. Just really proud of this group, proud of this organization. To get to do it with these guys every single day and what they have is very special. Just going to look forward to in the next couple days see who we play. I keep saying we get to go play for a World Championship now. That's pretty sweet."
Aaron Boone (on his preference on facing Dodgers or the Mets in the World Series):
"Whatever. I'm looking forward to sitting on my couch in my pajamas in my basement watching three TVs, watching a little NFL with my son tomorrow and fire up the barbecue and watch the Mets and Dodgers and see how that unfolds and then we'll start to get to work Monday or Tuesday."
Aaron Boone (on Juan Soto's impact):
"Yeah, how much he cares about his craft. He loves the game of baseball. That's usually a common trait for great players. Not everyone loves it, loves it like Juan Soto does or like a lot of our guys do. He loves it. He loves the preparation, I think the physical preparation it takes in the winter. He loves the preparation and the skill development. He takes pride in -- we know him as this great hitter, but he takes pride in his defense and running the bases and being a complete player, and he invests in that, and he's just been a great teammate, too. He's just easy to be around. You bring a superstar player in, how is he going to look, what's he going to be like. No, he's just one of the guys. That's been rewarding to see, man, I don't have to go out of my way to worry about him. He's good. I feel like I've developed a great relationship with him, but he's one of the guys."
Giancarlo Stanton, New York Yankees designated hitter (on what's he going to do with the trophy):
"I'm going to take it home. I'm going to take it home. No, this is something special for me. Yeah, I'll put it in the trophy case and enjoy the memory."
Reporter: "Is it heavy?"
Stanton: "Depends who you ask. (Laughter)."