PHOENIX, Ariz. - When the lights shine the brightest, it was Stony Brook Baseball Hall of Famer and one of the most prestigious players in program history, Travis Jankowski, stepping up for the Texas Rangers last night with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate with two runs batted in and a pair of runs scored in the 11-7 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 4 of the 2023 MLB World Series.
"To me, someone's gotta step up, right?," Jankowski said in a postgame interview with MLB Network.
Jankowski was the 2012 ABCA/Rawlings National Co-Player of the Year and a first team All-American by four different news outlets for the Seawolves. The former first round pick by the Padres led the NCAA in numerous offensive categories, including hits, runs scored and triples during Stony Brook's memorable run through Coral Gables and Baton Rouge en route to Omaha. The lefty bat was inducted to the Stony Brook Hall of Fame in 2017 after his time on the Island and was inducted last year with the 2012 College World Series team.
"Throughout all the ups and downs during Travis's collegiate and professional career, he has always spoken deeply and fondly about what Stony Brook University, Stony Brook Athletics and Stony Brook Baseball has meant to him," Stony Brook baseball head coach Matt Senk said.
On Monday evening, Jankowski became the first player in program history to appear in a World Series game after replacing Adolis Garcia in the 8th inning of Game 3 in the World Series. With Game 4 looming on the next day, Jankowski knew his opportunity was coming.
"Last night, I had my mind locked in that I was starting Game 4," Jankowski said. "There's no replacing Adolis, especially what he has done in the postseason run. I got the news at 2 p.m. before the game, but I was ready to go 15 years ago and it's one of those things you try to step up and enjoy the moment."
The Lancaster, Pa. native found himself in the nine-spot and playing right field, becoming the first player in Stony Brook baseball history to start a World Series game.
"You dream about it," Jankowski said to The Athletic. "But (in spring) it didn't seem like too much of a reality. I knew what this team was capable of. I knew I wanted to be a part of it. And I can't thank (general manager Chris Young) and the front office enough for giving me a chance."
Travis wasted no time making his presence felt in the order, scorching a single on the first pitch that he saw from Miguel Castro with two outs, setting the stage for leadoff hitter Marcus Semien. The all-star would drive in two runs, including Jankowski, after tripling to give Texas an early 3-0 lead.
In the third inning, Jankowski came back to the plate for his second plate appearance and this time it was the outfielder doing the damage, knocking in Josh Jung and Nathaniel Lowe to pad the Rangers' lead to 7-0 in the third inning.
Later in the game, the right-fielder made a terrific sliding catch down the line to secure the final out of the bottom of the seventh inning, and eventually Game 4 of the 2023 World Series victory to open up a 3-1 series lead for Texas in the Fall Classic.
"What Travis did last night is just amazing, but not surprising," Senk said. "Travis epitomizes everything you want in a baseball player, teammate and person. Last night, the athleticism and intangibles that allowed him to perform at the highest level in the sport right now were put on full display. It's why Travis went from a freshman who occasionally played to a first round draft pick, Co-National Player of the Year, Cape Cod League MVP and Stony Brook Hall of Fame Member. He's done it with such class and humility that it goes without saying we are extremely proud of his athletic ability and success, but more proud to know him as a friend, brother and teammate."
The Texas Rangers will return to the field tonight against the Arizona Diamondbacks, seeking their first-ever World Series Championship in the franchise's 63-year history.
"It's kind of been the mentality of this team," Jankowski said after the game. "We haven't had the healthiest of seasons, so it's a 'next man up' mentality. That's top-to-bottom a team effort and I am proud of everyone on this team. This is a lot of hard work and dreams turning into a reality for me right now."
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