José Altuve: Postseason Recognition & Elite Company

In the midst of the Major League Postseason, several hitters who have stood out for becoming differential figures with their teams are remembered with hits that remain engraved in the collective memory.

According to statistics made official by MLB, Manny Ramírez leads the all-time list with 29 home runs hit in Play-off games, a record that reinforces his reputation as one of the most lethal hitters in October.

Ramírez achieved these figures throughout 11 postseason qualifications, combining his power with consistency: he managed to hit home runs in different stages, from the Championship Series to the World Series, of which he won two in 2004 and 2007 with the Boston Red Sox, being MVP in the first.

José Altuve in second place

Behind him comes José Altuve, with 27 career home runs as of October. The Venezuelan has been notorious for his ability to hit early home runs with the Houston Astros, hitting eight home runs in the first inning of postseason games, a mark that speaks of his aggressiveness from the first at-bat.

‘Tuve’ has had the opportunity to reach four World Series, of which he has won two in 2017 and 2022. He is the active player with the most home runs in the Postseason, so he is two away from equaling Ramírez’s figure.

The rest of the list

Other notable figures are Kyle Schwarber, with 23 hits, 14 of them with the Philadelphia Phillies, and Bernie Williams, with 22 home runs in the Postseason, which places him among the most dangerous hitters in the history of the New York Yankees, with whom he added 4 Fall Classics.

More outstanding names on this list include George Springer, with 21 home runs, and Derek Jeter, with 20 home runs in the Play-off, always with a mythical touch due to his nickname of ‘Mr. November’. Albert Pujols, Corey Seager and Alex Bregman also appear with 19 home runs in October, joining the elite group with offensive production in decisive moments.

In the range of 18 home runs are names like Reggie Jackson (known as ‘Mr. October’), Mickey Mantle, Giancarlo Stanton, Nelson Cruz and Carlos Correa, all symbols of power in their era and with memorable performances in the Postseason.