Of reasons to love this game.
This isn't a story about a guy as much as it is about a series and a game.
Back in 2021 (it's 2026 now) I took a reliever named Nick Young late in the 1st round. The only time I'll ever take a reliever that early is when I am on the back end of round 1/2 and the kids got stuff that will let him start in AA or higher.
Anyway, fast forward to 2026 when Nick cracks the Austin Rustler bullpen and spins off this season:
My bullpen across the organization has always been stacked and you can see he was a stud well before 2026.
2.6 WAR in a non-closing role is a monster campaign.
I had the 2024 RIvera and Rolaids award winner closing and then he lost the job in early September and another kid took it for about a week before he lost it and Nick took it.
He did what he did all year, just insanely dominating.
Fast forward to the World Series.
The Austin Rustlers have had about a decade of just horrid luck in the playoffs. From a walk-off grand slam to being swept by the 8 seed to many other things.
Their last WS win was in 2017, and they've been back twice (2018 lost to Baltimore in a sweep) and in 2021 they lost to the San Jose Hawks who were kicking off their current run.
San Jose won last year, and also in 2021 and 2022. They hadn't sniffed a WS in 31 years and coming into this year had won 3 of the last 5 and back to back in 2021-22 and their entry this year was their 2nd attempt at B2B again.
After overcoming some slip-ups the Rustlers hit and pitched their way to the Series and while not feeling great about the matchup (having major issues the last few years trying to balance my lineup and be a factor against LHP) the team managed to, after being down 3-2, force a game 7. I want to go into detail but I won't, I'll let you read the boxscore, in all its beauty.
Notice Nick Young, and how the Rustlers managed to make the series 8 games instead of 7.....
That 9th inning 2 runs? Driven in by former Rustler Jeff Wagy's 2 out 2B off Nick Young.... Could not manage a run in 9 innings of extras.