Addison Russell makes World Series History with performance in Game 6 of Fall Classic
Addison Russell had a huge impact on Game 6 of The World Series as the Cubs beat the Indians 9-3 to force a winner-take-all Game 7. Russell was outstanding in the field once again and even caught the final out, a pop up in foul ground down the left field line.
Russell (2-for-5 with a double, a home run and six RBI) had two hits and drove in six of the Cubs’ nine runs. The first, a gift double with two outs in the first inning that gave the Cubs a 3-0 after Anthony Rizzo and Ben Zobrist scored. Russell’s second hit, a titanic blast out to left center in the third inning.
Russell crushed the ball and hit it an estimated 434 feet with an exit velocity of 108 mph.
Addison Russell hit the first Grand Slam by a Cubs player in World Series history. Russell’s slam was the first in a World Series since the White Sox’s Paul Konerko in 2005. Russell was 11 years old when Paulie hit his slam.
Addison Russell is the first shortstop to hit a Grand Slam in World Series history. And Russell is the second youngest player to hit a Grand Slam in a World Series game. Mickey Mantle (1953) hit a slam in Game 5 of the ’53 World Series at the age of 21. Russell is second to only The Mick in the history of the game to hit the biggest of big flies on the grandest stage.
Only Mickey Mantle (10) and Ty Cobb (9) have driven in more runs in a single World Series before turning 23 than Addison Russell (8) and Jimmie Foxx (8). Joe DiMaggio had seven RBI before the age of 23.
Addison Russell became the fourth player in World Series history to drive in six runs in a single game, joining Albert Pujols (2011), Hideki Matsui (2009) and Bobby Richardson (1960). Russell is the first to have six RBI in an elimination game. And he is the first player to drive in six runs under the age of 23.
Buster Olney pointed out during Game 6 that Addison Russell has made two postseason appearances, was voted as a starter on the NL All-Star team and hit a Grand Slam in Game 6 of The World Series all in the first two years of his big league career. Russell is only 22 years old.
