2021 AL King Cobra Wildcard MVP: Denver v. Washington

...Aurelio Garza, 2B, Denver.

One of the more famous players in today's EWB, Garza hit a decent .286/0/3 in the 2-1 series win over the Admirals. After going 0-4 in the Game 1 loss, he was a solid contributor in both Games 2 and 3, and Denver won both.

Really, though, he won this award with the final at bat of the series. In the bottom of the 9th, with the Admirals winning 2-1 and their closer Carmelo Moran on the mound, Garza came up to bat with 2 outs and the bases loaded: tying run on third, go-ahead run on 2nd. Facing an 0-1 count, he slashed a ground ball between third and short and the game was tied. Painfully slow Andy "Frogger" Smith was the runner on 2nd who was signaled to stop by the third base coach, but Smith ran through the sign to go against the weak arm of LF Jesus Llesemia. Llesemia's throw was a bit high and Smith slid into the plate, scoring Sid Bream-style to advance to the next round. Garza was the instant hero.