Christmas came early in Cleveland.
The Guardians found themselves down two runs to the Yankees in Game 3 of the ALCS, down to their final out, and needing a big hit. With a runner on base, pinch hitter Jhonkensy Noel stepped up to the plate against Yankees closer Lucas Weaver, representing the tying run.
After looking at a fastball for a ball, the big right-handed slugger smashed a 1-0 changeup into the left field stands, sending the Cleveland crowd at Progressive Field into elation, and the contest into extra innings.
BIG CHRISTMAS TIME!
THE ULTIMATE PRESENT UNDER THE TREE! pic.twitter.com/6PhEOHuyds
— MLB (@MLB) October 18, 2024
The rookie outfielder is no stranger to launching longballs. The 23-year-old from the Dominican had 13 home runs in 67 games in his first season in the majors.
Noel’s home run set up the Guardians to take the game in extra innings. With a runner on base and two outs, first baseman David Fry barreled a sinker off Yankees reliever Clay Holmes for a walk-off home run. The victory secured a 7-5 win for Cleveland, and cut New York’s lead in the ALCS to 2-1.
Here is more to know about Noel and his nickname.
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Who is ‘Big Christmas’ on Guardians?
Jhonkensy Noel is the player with the nickname “Big Christmas” on the Guardians.
Jhonkensy Noel nickname
Noel’s “Big Christmas” nickname came about this season. The powerful right fielder for Cleveland got the moniker from Guardians manager Stephen Vogt due to his size and his last name, according to MLB’s Mandy Bell.
“They always clap for me when I go hit,” Noel said. “I feel wonderful when they do that.”
Noel is a fan of the nickname, although it’s not his only one. He also is called “La Belezza” or “The Beauty.”
“That actually comes from (Mariners outfielder) Julio Rodriguez,” Noel said on the Guardians website. “I got to meet him in 2015 when I was in the Dominican Prospect League. And in that moment between the group of guys I was somehow maybe the best looking, so he just kept calling me ‘The Beauty.'”
Jhonkensy Noel stats
Before Noel blasted the game-tying home run in the ninth inning of Game 3, the outfielder was just 1-for-15 in the 2024 postseason, a single in Game 1 of the ALCS against New York.
This is his first postseason in his short MLB career.
