The Texas Rangers are World Series champions for the first time in the franchise’s 63-season history, defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-0 in Phoenix to secure the title in Game 5. Their win in Phoenix, giving them the best of seven series four games to one, didn’t come easily. The game was scoreless through six innings, and Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen was taking over, not allowing a hit through those stanzas.
However, Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi also fared well, keeping the Diamondbacks blanked through his six innings of work despite being under frequent pressure. Arizona was 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position with Eovaldi on the mound. The Rangers finally got to Gallen in the seventh inning. Rangers shortstop Cory Seager, known for his clutch World Series performances, broke up the no-hitter in the seventh inning, and two batters later, Mitch Garver’s single scored Seager for the game’s first run.
Then, the Rangers pounced on Arizona in the ninth inning, scoring four more runs, highlighted by a Marcus Semien 2-run home run off Paul Sewald deep to center field for an overwhelming 5-0 lead. An emotional Semien told Fox Sports when asked about his home run, “Man, this is the biggest moment. Just felt so good. Just looked over at the bench and screamed. Just an unbelievable feeling. I know I keep saying that word, but just to run the bases knowing that we are that much closer felt great.”
Evan Carter, a 21-year-old Rangers player, said he’s “living a dream come true” as he played in the World Series. Only two months ago, Carter was called up from Double-A baseball to play in the World Series with the Rangers. Before his Major League debut, Carter told reporters he was grateful to God for the opportunity while wearing a “Jesus Won” T-shirt. In game one of the World Series, Carter became the second youngest player to drive the first run of a World Series and the third-youngest player with multiple extra-base hits in a World Series game.
ChurchLeaders.com reports that Carter grew up in a Christian family in Tennessee and participated in the First Baptist Church youth group. His youth minister, Jason Holly, who coached Carter in youth sports, told Baptist Press that Carter was a “phenomenal athlete,” but “with his faith, he’s always stayed steady.” Holly said Carter shows that “you can be great without being loud, and you can be great without causing problems, and you can be great without being flamboyant.”
Carter is married to his longtime girlfriend, Kaylen, who told reporters about their faith as Carter started his first MLB game. She said, “All the glory to God. Without Him, we wouldn’t be here.” Carter partnered with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes to sell the “Jesus Won” T-shirt, with proceeds going to a program at Central Community Christian Church.
Carter has said that he loves playing baseball. “It’s not worth doing if you’re not having fun…I love the game, and I love playing, I love competing, so, really, it’s a joyful thing for me.” The Rangers were Carter’s favorite team as a child. He was selected as the 50th pick in the second round of the 2020 MLB draft. In 2021, he missed most of the season with a stress fracture in his back.
“There’s good in everything,” he told MLB.com. “I believe God’s got a plan for me. I learned a lot of stuff here in rehab. I wouldn’t have otherwise.”