October Excellence Once More? Revisiting Randy Arozarena’s Playoff History
As the Seattle Mariners prepare to face the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS, it’s worth mentioning the fact that one of the M’s best players has a decorated playoff resume. History suggests one player might rise once more to the grandest of occasions—that being left fielder Randy Arozarena, who has played in the postseason for the St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, and now the Seattle Mariners.
Forgotten Beginnings: St. Louis Cardinals
With the Cardinals in 2019, Arozarena’s career in the playoffs didn’t get off to the most memorable of starts. In five playoff games, Arozarena made just five plate appearances in the playoffs that year, going 0-4 with three strikeouts and a hit by pitch.
Given his record-breaking postseason performance the very next year, few recall that the Cuban left fielder had been to the big dance once before.
October excellence: Tampa Bay Rays
On Jan. 9, 2020, Arozarena was traded to the Rays. Although he only played in a little under half of the COVID-shortened regular season, Tampa Bay’s new left fielder put up a playoff performance for the ages.
In a playoff run that would eventually lead to a World Series appearance for the Rays, Arozarena played a huge factor. In 20 games, Arozarena slashed .377/.442/.831 with three doubles, a triple, 10 home runs, 19 runs scored, and 14 RBIs. Although the Rays fell to the Dodgers in the Fall Classic, Arozarena was named the ALCS MVP, and his records still stand.
Arozarena returned to the playoffs the next year, though the Rays didn’t go on a comparable run. He went 5-15 with a double, a homer, four runs scored, and three RBIs over four playoff games. At this point in his postseason career, Arozarena had recorded a batting average of .354 and had hit a home run in one of every 10 plate appearances.
The next two postseasons for Arozarena and the Rays would end up being cut short. In just two playoff games each year the Rays were swept in the Wild Card Series in back-to-back seasons. In those two playoff runs combined, Arozarena went 4-17 with seven strikeouts, with no homers, runs scored, or RBIs. In those two postseasons combined Arozarena did not record a run or a homerun and his batting average fell to 23.5%.
Still, his overall postseason line with the rays was something to behold. In 28 games, Arozarena slashed .349/.423/.716 with five doubles, 11 home runs, 23 runs, 17 RBIs, and two stolen bases.
Will it Continue?
When you look at Arozarena’s playoff history, you will notice a lot of highs and some lows. The many highs from his record shattering 2020 still linger in the minds of the baseball world, but he has not had much chance to excel in October since then.
With this storied past in mind, it certainly should make Mariners fans wonder whether he will once more go on a tear for the ages.
