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By Steven Lieberman
Observer Reporter 

"Top Gun" Eddy Alvarez sped onto the field with all the firepower of the Dodgers team to challenge the Mets

 

Eddy Alvarez with Medals

The Dodgers finished up the four-game series split with the Mets on Sunday at Dodger Stadium with an extra-innings 5-4 loss, but the highlight was the debut of Eddy Alvarez at third base.

He got two hits with four at bats and one RBI. But that RBI was a crucial one off of Mets pitcher Seth Lugo, a ripping first-pitch fastball, two-out single up the middle, plating Chris Taylor to tie the game at 4 in the bottom of the 9th inning, sending the game into extra innings.

Alvarez also had a golden glove-caliber stop and throw at third base, the hot corner. He slid to his left to make a smooth stop and throw to first to nab Eduardo Escobar in the 4th. I'm sure "The Red Beard" was proud of him.

And being a former professional short track speed skater, Alvarez is a speedster, which is important in how the game is played today. He's going to give teammate Trea Turner, arguably the fastest in the NL, a run for his money.


It's apropos that Alvarez has a son named Jett and his walk-up song is the "Top gun" anthem.

Recently called-up, the two-time Olympian and Olympic flag-bearer at the Tokyo Olympics, Alvarez is used to coming through in the clutch.

In baseball, Alvarez represented the United States and medaled at the 2014 Winter Olympics and 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He is the sixth athlete and third American ever to medal in both the Summer and Winter Olympics in different disciplines.

After his MLB debut on August 5, 2020 with the Marlins, Alvarez became the first Winter Olympics athlete and first non-baseball Olympian since Jim Thorpe to play Major League Baseball. Only those two have played in the MLB and won an Olympic medal in another sport.


He just wishes the game on Sunday had a better ending.

"I wish it would've went a little differently," Alvarez said. "It's part of the game. As we all know, it's a game of unpredictability. Just wanted to do my part, be the best player I could be out there and try and do what I can for this team."

He said that he would "cherish forever" that single that might have led to the Dodgers winning with a walk-off in the bottom of the 9th.

Eddy Alvarez Skating

And he is in awe of the incredible depth and firepower of the team's roster.

"Like I said before, it's kind of a video game lineup," Alvarez said. "Just to crack this roster and to be a little piece of the algorithm is incredible. I'm going to count my blessings and do what I can to show up every day."


Words spoken by an ultimate team player.

 

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