Rangers' Adolis García Wins ALCS MVP, Sets MLB Postseason Series Record with 15 RBI

Adolis García is going down in the history books as a playoff hero for the Texas Rangers and won ALCS MVP in the process:

The slugger helped the visitors set the tone in Monday's Game 7 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros in historic fashion. With an RBI single in the first inning, solo homer in the third inning and two-RBI single in the fourth, he both broke the game open and set a Major League Baseball record for RBI in a single playoff series:

The slugger added one more home run in the eighth inning, giving him 15 RBI for the series.

That it was García made it all the more notable given his central role in this series beyond just his impressive individual play.

After he emphatically celebrated a home run during Game 5, Astros pitcher Bryan Abreu hit him with a pitch later in the contest. That sparked a benches-clearing incident and a number of punishments.

As the Associated Press noted, the league said all six umpires working the game believed the pitch was intentional. As a result, Abreu was suspended for two games—which will be served next year—and Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr., Rangers pitcher Matt Bush and Houston manager Dusty Baker were all fined.

The Houston crowd greeted García with plenty of boos in Game 6, but he answered them by launching a grand slam as part of a Rangers blowout.

He helped set the stage for a decisive Game 7 and then took full advantage by making history.