D. Sean Rowley
Cherokee Phoenix

With strong pitching performances and a smattering of big offensive innings, the Texas Rangers dispatched the Arizona Diamondbacks in five games to claim the first World Series championship in the history of the franchise.

There was also another “first” of sorts. Jon Gray became the first Cherokee Nation citizen to pitch for the winning team in a World Series.

Gray was not on the roster for the first two playoff series due to discomfort in his forearm, but he made three quality appearances for the Rangers in the American League Championship Series and World Series.

During the season, Gray was in the starting rotation, but Texas moved him to the bullpen after adding him to the ALCS roster.

He appeared in Game 3 of the World Series at Chase Field in Phoenix, helping the Rangers take a 2-1 lead.

“I love it,” Gray told media after the game. “This is the most important time of the year for us. We’ve worked so hard to get here, and to be able to help and be a good part of this team, it feels amazing.”

Gray needed just 30 pitches – 25 were strikes – to record three scoreless frames, allowing one hit, fanning three and walking none. He became the second reliever to work three scoreless World Series innings in 30 pitches or less, the other being Francisco Rodriguez, who did so for the Anaheim Angels in 2002.

Gray, in his ninth Major League season, made 29 starts this year before being placed on the injured list in September. He was reactivated Oct. 15 and made three playoff relief appearances: allowing one run in an inning pitched in Game 3 of the ALCS, recording five outs without a run in Game 1 of the World Series and his Game 3 appearance.

His Game 3 work lowered Gray’s postseason ERA to 1.59.

In a release, Major League Baseball mentioned that Gray is the seventh pitcher to record multiple scoreless relief outings of five-plus outs and three-plus strikeouts in a single World Series, along with Tim Lincecum (2012), Alejandro Peña (1988), Sid Fernandez (‘86), Rollie Fingers (‘72), Clay Carroll (‘70) and Lefty Grove (‘29).

“I think the last couple of days have really solidified that lockdown factor,” Gray said. “I feel like I had the stuff to come in and lock down, I feel like I can do late, early, whatever. It’s just a huge confidence booster to get that opportunity and then capitalize….”

Gray’s 30-pitch appearance was comprised of 15 sliders, 14 fastballs and a curve. His heater was recorded at 97.8 mph and his slider read 91.8 mph.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy applauded Gray’s stamina, saying he could have faced more batters.

“He’s really thriving in this role,” Bochy said. “He’s got a lot of confidence going. I’ll start with he’s healthy right now. I think he’s excited about that. He was dealing with the arm, but now back to who he is….”

Gray is the second Cherokee Nation citizen to appear in the World Series for the winning team. Outfielder Roy Johnson was inserted as a pinch runner and struck out in his only at-bat for the New York Yankees when they won the 1936 title in six games over the New York Giants. He still holds two team records with the Detroit Tigers, set in 1929: most runs by a rookie (128) and most doubles by a rookie (45).

This article was first published in the Cherokee Phoenix.