Kyle Tucker wrapped up the 2023 season impressively on Sunday evening, rounding the bases in the fifth inning while the Houston Astros secured another American League West championship. This season finale performance could also fulfill a preseason target the All-Star right fielder set.
Tucker reached home due to a decision that credited him with a triple and a fielder’s choice after an oversight by Arizona’s shortstop, Jordan Lawler. However, Tucker and the Astros intend to challenge this decision. On Sunday, Tucker expressed his intent to appeal to Major League Baseball, hoping that the triple would be reclassified as an inside-the-park home run.
Why is the decision on Tucker’s last hit of the 2023 season so significant to him? Earlier in February, during the Astros’ Spring Training, Tucker had expressed his ambition to enter the renowned 30-30 club in 2023, a distinction for players who achieve 30 home runs and 30 steals within a season. He almost reached this milestone in 2022, hitting 30 home runs but only stealing 25 bases.
Stealing bases wasn’t the challenge for Tucker in his pursuit of the 30-30 mark this year. He wrapped up the 2023 regular season with precisely 30 steals but currently stands at 29 home runs. If the MLB rules in his favor, he’ll become only the second Astros player to achieve a 30-30 season, following Hall-of-Famer Jeff Bagwell. In 2023, four players made it to the 30-30 club, with Ronald Acuña Jr. standing out as the sole entrant into the 40-70 club.
There needs to be a fixed date for a decision on Tucker’s 30-30 ambition. This particular goal might take a backseat in Tucker’s priorities as October arrives. Instead, after a tumultuous regular season which still saw Houston finishing at the top of the AL West, Tucker and the Astros are gearing up for the playoffs. Starting afresh for the postseason, the Astros emerge as strong contenders for the Commissioner’s Trophy.
The Astros’ 2023 playoff journey begins this Saturday in Houston with the first game of the ALDS. The exact time for the opening pitch against either the Toronto Blue Jays or Minnesota Twins remains to be confirmed.