When the Yankees retreated to the locker room at Target Field after Monday's 5-1 win over the Twins in Minnesota, sweeping the ALDS through three games, Aaron Judge made an announcement.
With champagne flying, Judge congratulated his Yankees teammates as he awarded a championship belt to Gleyber Torres.
The honor was well-deserved for Torres, whose 3-for-4 night from the six spot in the lineup fueled the Yankees' offensive breakthrough.
"What a series, what a game," Judge said. "Each and everyone of you guys went out and did your job, man, I love it. But tonight, the belt goes to GT, baby."
Torres scored three runs, including a solo shot in the top of the second inning to put the Yankees on the board.
"Happy -- we won the series," Torres said. "We competed all season long, we know we (had) too many injuries, too many bad things, but we (stay) focused. We competed every time and now we got everybody healthy ... now is the time to enjoy, play really good baseball like that and try to win games."
He flashed his leather in the field, too, with Nelson Cruz's inning-ending double play to end the bottom of the first and Eddie Rosario's put out from second base that teetered on shallow right field.
"I'm prepared before (Rosario got up)," Torres said. "I know Rosario's a really good hitter, he pulled the ball really well and I'm just prepared. I move a little to the outfield and just got an opportunity to make the out and save a couple of runs."
The Yankees get the winner of Houston and Tampa Bay, who have Game 4 as the best-of-five ALDS lingers Tuesday at 7:07 p.m. from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, after Monday's 10-3 win by the Rays over the Astros.
"I compete every time -- it doesn't matter who's pitching or who's the team," Torres said. "I just try to be confident, try to be focused and do my job and help my team. I just try to go to home plate and get a really good at-bat and just be simple and do my job."