From behind-the-back improvisation on a tennis court to dazzling performances at the Olympics, the year offered plenty of highlights — and some lowlights, too.
Judge, a slugging outfielder for the Yankees, swatted 62 home runs and beat out Shohei Ohtani, the Angels’ two-way superstar, for the American League’s top honor.
Dogged by criticism that they could not win without sign-stealing, Houston beat the Philadelphia Phillies in six games to complete a nearly perfect postseason.
It took years for Yordan Alvarez’s parents to get to the United States from Cuba to see him play for the Houston Astros. They are soaking in every second.
“I feel like this is just the beginning for all of us,” Julio Rodríguez said after the Mariners made the playoffs for the first time since 2001 but were swept by Houston.