The 2022 World Series featuring the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros has been an exciting one. Game 4 of the World Series saw the third no-hitter in MLB playoff history. Astros catcher Christian Vázquez became the first Latino to catch an MLB playoff no-hitter, joining baseball legend Yogi Berra as the only other catcher to do so.
Vázquez, from Bayamón, Puerto Rico, was traded to Houston in August 2022. The Astros added him for his veteran playoff and World Series experience. By the end of the season, his rapport with Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier turned him into Javier’s personal catcher. Vázquez also collected a hit at the plate during the historic World Series game. He noted just what a special night it was after the game.
“Special, you know. Special,” said Vázquez. “I think the job we did, we play for this, and I think it’s going to be special, and we’re going to remember this game forever.”
When watching a no-hitter during a tense playoff game, it’s easy to forget that while the pitchers receive the credit for the accomplishment, the catcher is often choosing what pitches to throw and managing their pitchers on the mound both strategically and emotionally. Javier, who pitched six innings of the combined no-hitter, spoke to ESPN and credited Vázquez for being supportive throughout the game.
“He stayed on top of me, continued to motivate me throughout the game, and gave me really good, positive energy,” said Javier. “I think that’s one of the reasons why we got the result we did today.”
The Astros now lead the series 3-2, and should they win the World Series, this would be Christian Vázquez’s second World Series ring after winning one with the Boston Red Sox in 2018.