The Sportsletter - Houston, We Have A Title ☄️

BY JEFF YODER

NOV. 7, 2022  |  SUBSCRIBE  |  REFER  |  WEB VIEW

Welcome Back 👋

It’s a title trio on the first Monday of November. Sports crowned champions in MLB, MLS and NASCAR in a 24-hour window. In the process, Philadelphia became the first city ever to lose two professional championships on the same day. (At least you’ve still got the 8-0 Eagles)

We’ve got a lot to cover before capping off Week 9 in the NFL (Ravens at Saints: 8:15 pm ET) and tipping off the college basketball season tonight. Let’s start in Houston before today’s Astros parade (1:00 pm ET).

Letter Rip!

WORLD SERIES 🏆

Houston, We Have A Title! ☄️

Photo: Rob Tringali / Getty Images

Astros Win Game 6 (4-1) to Capture 2022 World Series & Put Haters In Their Place

Five years later, the Houston Astros are world champions without an asterisk! It was 2017 when the ‘Stros celebrated their first-ever World Series victory, then had to suffer through years of contentious chatter around the cheating scandal that plagued that title. In came Dusty Baker — a seasoned managerial vet — and a pair of young stars to revamp the roster in Jeremy Pena and Yordan Alvarez. The ‘Stros are champs again, and this one feels extra special for Houston.

How Game 6 Was Won

The Astros won Games 4 and 5 in Philly before returning to Houston needing one win in the final two games, but they didn’t mess around with the idea of a Game 7. Framber Valdez was magnificent on the mound once again, tossing nine Ks over six innings with just two hits and one earned run. That defensive showcase only needed minimal run support to get the job done, and the Astros got it on one swing from Yordan Alvarez — a three-run blast in the 6th inning. Closer Ryan Pressly pitched the final frame and got Nick Castellanos to fly out to Kyle Tucker for the last out. Fireworks in Houston.

Watch: Astros Win Game 6, Celebrate 2nd World Series Title

6 Years, 4 Fall Classics

While Saturday marked the Astros’ second World Series crown (2017), it was the team’s fourth trip to the Fall Classic in the last six years. They fell to the Nationals (2019) and Braves (2021).

Dusty’s 1st Ring

At 73 years old, Dusty Baker became the oldest manager in MLB history to win the World Series. He began his managerial career in 1993, and he held the record for the most games managed without a ring (3,884), until Saturday. He also won the World Series as a player with the Dodgers in 1981, but winning one as a manager was the final piece to a Hall of Fame resume.

MVP: Rookie SS Jeremy Peña

Everyone knew Yordan Alvarez was the Astros’ young superstar heading into 2022, but rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña surprised everyone after the trade of Carlos Correa. Peña had a stellar rookie campaign, but his World Series presence at the plate and on defense earned him the MVP (10-for-25, 1 HR, 3 RBIs). He’s the first rookie to win the World Series MVP.

Congrats to the Houston Astros, the 2022 World Series champs!

Additional Storylines

SI: The Astros Are World Series Champions — No Asterisk Needed

NY Times: A ‘Legend’ — Dusty Baker — Finally Gets His Moment

MLB: Super Shortstop Jeremy Pena Makes History as 1st Rookie Position Player to Win World Series MVP

CFB

No Leash For These Dawgs

Photo: Todd Kirkland / Getty Images

Georgia Handles Tennessee in Top-3 Clash While Clemson & Alabama Fall

A playoff-shifting weekend in college football witnessed three major showdowns with postseason implications, and the door has been opened for a new-look CFB Playoff picture tomorrow. No. 1 Georgia put No. 3 Tennessee in their place (27-13) with a lockdown defensive performance in the SEC Game of the Year. Meanwhile, Notre Dame shocked No. 4 Clemson in South Bend (35-14) to drop the Tigers out of the top-10, and No. 15 LSU’s surged back into the top-10 with a thrilling overtime win on a two-point conversion against No. 5 Alabama (32-31, OT). Only four unbeaten playoff contenders remain — Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan and TCU — but the two Big Ten rivals will square off later this month.

Top-10 Highlights

#3 Georgia def. #1 Tennessee (27-13)

#2 Ohio State def. Northwestern (21-7)

Notre Dame def. #4 Clemson (35-14)

#5 Michigan def. Rutgers (52-17)

#10 LSU def. #6 Alabama (32-31, OT)

#7 TCU def. Texas Tech (34-24)

#8 Oregon def. Colorado (49-10)

#9 USC def. California (41-35)

AP Top-10

1. Georgia (9-0) | —

2. Ohio State (9-0) | —

3. Michigan (9-0) | ↑1

4. TCU (9-0) | ↑3

5. Tennessee (8-1) | ↓3

6. Oregon (8-1) | ↑2

7. LSU (7-2) | ↑8

8. USC (8-1) | ↑1

9. UCLA (8-1) | ↑1

10. Alabama (7-2) | ↓4

Full AP Top-25

Additional Storylines

ESPN: Best Moments & Highlights From Georgia’s Win Over Tennessee

Yahoo! Sports: LSU Surges Into Top-10 as Alabama & Clemson Tumble

CBS Sports: SMU & Houston Set Record for Highest-Scoring Game in CFB History With 140 Points

MLS PLAYOFFS

Hollywood Ending 🌟

Photo: Wally Skalij / Getty Images

Gareth Bale’s Late Equalizer Delivers LAFC 1st MLS Cup Title (3-3, 3-0 PKs)

Written in the stars! LAFC claimed their first-ever MLS Cup title on Saturday in a wild finish via penalty kicks against Philadelphia Union (3-3, 3-0 PKs). Kellyn Acosta scored the only first-half goal (28’) to put L.A. on top at the break, but a flurry of back-and-forth strikes down the stretch led to extra time at 2-2. Philly’s Jack Elliot scored his second goal of the game in the 124th minute in what looked like the Cup-clinching winner, but super-sub Gareth Bale had other plans for LAFC. In the 128th minute, Bale headed home an end-line cross that sent Banc of California Stadium into earthquake mode. In penalty kicks, it was LAFC substitute keeper John McCarthy who played the hero with two quick saves in PKs to seal the win.

LAFC’s 1st Crown

One of the recent MLS expansion franchises, LAFC didn’t wait long to establish itself as the league’s premier club. Their ascension began with high-profile ownership, including names like actor Will Ferrell and sports legend Magic Johnson. The team was established in 2014 but didn’t make its MLS debut until 2018. And they’ve acquired more iconic international talent in recent years than anyone, landing players like Carlos Vela and Gareth Bale. They’re the first team since 2017 (Toronto FC) to win the Supporter’s Shield and MLS Cup in the same season.

Watch: LAFC Capture 1st MLS Cup Title in Thrilling Finish

Additional Storylines

MLS: “It’s Destiny” — Gareth Bale Brings LAFC First-Ever MLS Cup

NY Post: LAFC Co-Owner Will Ferrell Drinks From MLS Cup in Team Celebration

CNN: Gareth Bale Scores Dramatic Goal as LAFC Win MLS Cup in Thrilling Penalty Shootout

NASCAR

Logano Dominates NASCAR Finale

Photo: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images

Joey Logano Dominates Phoenix to Win 2nd NASCAR Cup Series Crown

The third championship moment of the weekend belonged to Joey Logano with a blistering race to cap off the NASCAR Cup Series in Phoenix. The No. 22 car for Team Penske Ford led for 188 of the 312 laps (60 percent) en route to the title. The 32-year-old driver captured his second NASCAR Cup Series title by holding off the other three drivers in the Championship 4 — Ross Chastain, Christopher Bell and Chase Elliot. Chastain (3rd) was the only real threat late in the race after he spun Elliot (28th) down the stretch.

Fun Fact: Logano joined former teammate Kyle Busch as the second active driver on the circuit with multiple championships.

NASCAR Championship 4 Results

1. Joey Logano (1st)

2. Ross Chastain (3rd)

3. Christopher Bell (10th)

4. Chase Elliot (28th)

Full Race Results

Watch: Logano Wins 2nd NASCAR Cup Series Title

Additional Storylines

ESPN: Winner Takes All: Joey Logano’s Phoenix Victory Clinches Title

FOX: Joey Logano Captures Second NASCAR Cup Title With Season-Finale Victory at Phoenix

NFL

Week 9 Highlights

8 of 11 Games Decided by 1 Score on Sunday

The NFL takes a backseat to other stories on this championship Monday edition, but that didn’t stop a ton of games from having thrilling finishes. Eight of the 11 Sunday matchups were decided by a touchdown or less, including the Jets’ upset over the Bills (20-17) and the Chiefs beating the Titans in overtime Sunday nighter (20-17, OT). Here’s a rundown of Sunday’s highlights before tonight’s Ravens-Saints battle on Monday Night Football (8:15 pm ET).

Week 9 Highlights

Chargers def. Falcons (20-17)

Dolphins def. Bears (35-32)

Bengals def. Panthers (42-21)

Lions def. Packers (15-9)

Patriots def. Colts (26-3)

Jets def. Bills (20-17)

Vikings def. Commanders (20-17)

Jaguars def. Raiders (27-20)

Seahawks def. Cardinals (31-21)

Buccaneers def. Rams (16-13)

Chiefs def. Titans (20-17, OT)

🎥 OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

🏀 NBA: Bucks Stay Perfect Sans Giannis

Milwaukee’s unbeaten start continued on Saturday with a 14-point win over the Thunder (108-94) despite being without Giannis Antetokounmpo. Brook Lopez shouldered the load with 25 points and Bobby Portis had a massive 21-rebound night. The Bucks are 9-0.

🏒 NHL: Vegas Rolls to 7th Straight Win

A busy NHL weekend saw a lot of highlights, but the Vegas Golden Knights take the cake with their seventh straight win. They topped the Canadiens on Saturday (6-4) behind a two-goal night from Reilly Smith, and the Golden Knights are now 11-2-0.

👟 RUNNING: Kenyans Sweep NYC Marathon

Kenyan runners Evans Chebet and Sharon Lokedi won the 52nd New York City Marathon on Sunday morning after race leader Daniel Do Nascimento collapsed with five miles to go. Chebet (2:08:41) and Lokedi (2:23:23) delivered the third straight Kenyan sweep dating back to 2019.

📰 THE HEADLINES

• Kevin Durant Interested in Joining Washington Commanders Ownership Group (ESPN)
• Cowboys Expected to Pursue Free Agent WR Odell Beckham Jr. After Being Cleared to Play (SI)
• Several Teams Ask for NFL to Push Trade Deadline Back to Week 10 or 12 (Yahoo! Sports)
• Nets Give Kyrie Irving Six Requirements to Fulfill Before He Can Return to Team (CBS Sports)
• Mets Sign Pitcher Edwin Diaz to 5-Year, $102 Million Contract Extension (Yardbarker)

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