DENVER (AP) – Rockies slugger Matt Holliday wished he could split up his newly received NL championship series MVP trophy, and dole out equal portions to every teammate.
The way this team has played, that’s not a bad thought.
“It took everybody,” Holliday said after helping Colorado complete a four-game sweep of Arizona on Monday night, earning the franchise’s first trip to the World Series. “This award could have gone to 15 guys. I don’t deserve it.”
That’s highly debatable.
The slugger finished 5-for-15 (.333) with two homers – including a three-run shot Monday night – and four RBIs in the series, earning him MVP honors.
“It’s unbelievable. I never dreamed I’d have this opportunity. With this group of guys, I’m so excited to be a part of it,” he said.
Holliday has hit four home runs in this postseason.
Could the NL MVP be next? That decision won’t be announced until next month.
He certainly has impressive credentials. Holliday won league titles by batting .340 with 137 RBIs this season – becoming the third player since 1967 to lead a league in both those categories – in addition to hitting 36 homers.
Holliday also led the NL in hits (216), extra-base hits (92), total bases (386) and doubles (50). The team was 43-15 this season when he had two or more hits.
“He’s had huge hits for us all year,” third baseman Garrett Atkins said. “Holliday, like he’s done all year, hit the big home run and put us up for good, and we’re moving on because of it.”
Holliday said the Rockies really never discussed their incredible streak as they rattled off 21 wins in 22 games.
“Mostly, what we talk about is fantasy football,” Holliday said with a laugh. “We don’t talk much about baseball. This club has had a great focus all season long.”
He’s just glad he was along for the thrilling ride.
“It’s a great feeling, and to be able to share it with guys you care about, not because they’re good at baseball, but because you actually care about them and they mean something to you,” Holliday said. “You consider them like family.”
It’s not surprising Holliday wanted to divvy up the NLCS MVP award. The Rockies had a different player come through every night.
In the series clincher Monday, rookie Seth Smith was the unlikely hero. Batting for starting pitcher Franklin Morales in the fourth inning, Smith blooped a two-out, two-run single that put Colorado ahead.
Smith had just eight major league at-bats coming into the postseason. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he was tied for the fifth-fewest at-bats before his first postseason plate appearance.
Throughout October, manager Clint Hurdle saw the contributions come in clutch situations.
– Yorvit Torrealba hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer against Arizona on Sunday night.
– Willy Taveras pushed across the deciding run in Game 2 by drawing a bases-loaded walk in the 11th inning. He also made a diving catch that preserved a late lead.
– Jeff Baker had a pinch-hit single that drove in the go-ahead run in the series clincher against Philadelphia.
The list goes on and on.
“I don’t think there’s anybody in there that hasn’t brought a contribution to the table,” Hurdle said. “That has been something they’re aware of, they count on. They know going in they can beat anyone. And they prepare that way.”
If only Holliday could slice his trophy into equal parts.
“I want to share it with my teammates,” he said. “They deserve it.”
But after the season he’s had, so does he.
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