JBJ's 9 RBIs vs. Astros earn him ALCS MVP
HOUSTON -- Jackie Bradley Jr. finally stopped tormenting the Astros when he went hitless in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. But the damage had already been done, and Houston won't be able to repeat as World Series champions due in large part to Bradley.• World Series presented
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Shortly after the Red Sox celebrated the AL pennant with a 4-1 victory, Bradley was given the Most Valuable Player Award for the series.
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It was an unlikely yet sweet feat for a player who has always been known more for his glove in center field than his bat. And though Bradley had just three hits in the five games against the Astros, they added up to nine RBIs.
Bradley's bases-clearing double gave Boston a lead it never relinquished in Game 2. He then recorded a grand slam off Houston closer
"Speechless," Bradley said. "It's amazing. I have amazing teammates, amazing staff. Everybody's such a blessing."
If Bradley had a hard time reflecting on the trophy he collected, his teammates had no problem saluting their center fielder.
"There's nobody on this team that I can think of in baseball that deserves it more than Jackie," said
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Through his first 124 at-bats of the regular season, the notoriously streaky Bradley was hitting .161 with two homers and nine RBIs. His OPS was .502. But manager Alex Cora stuck by him. And from July 1 through Game 5 of the ALCS, Bradley slashed .269/.340/.479 with seven homers and 36 RBIs, all the while playing tremendous defense.
"Awesome," Boston left fielder
Bradley and the Red Sox will be back at it on Tuesday night, when they host Game 1 of the World Series.
"This is what we set out to do when we come to Spring Training," Bradley said. "And we battled -- we've been battle tested, played against a lot of great ball teams. This is definitely a special moment."
Ian Browne has covered the Red Sox for MLB.com since 2002. Follow him on Twitter @IanMBrowne and Facebook.