The World Series is on the horizon, igniting excitement around what could be the first Yankees-Dodgers matchup since 1981.

Fans can expect massive advertisements featuring Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, or even Francisco Lindor facing off against Juan Soto if the New York Mets make a surprise appearance. However, seasoned baseball enthusiasts know that the ultimate hero might just end up being an average utility player or a middle reliever.

Nevertheless, the New York Yankees have obliterated all doubts about playoff unpredictability and disproven the idea that superstar teams are no more likely to win than unremarkable teams that get hot for a short time in October.

The Yankees have made it back to the World Series for the first time since 2009, and they’ve got their star players to credit for this achievement.

Soto, Judge, and Giancarlo Stanton are not just outstanding hitters, MVP-level talents, or players with contracts in the hundreds of millions (with Soto joining that elite circle soon).

These players are captivating figures: Stanton, at 6’7″, is capable of hitting baseballs harder than anyone else; Judge, standing at 6’6″, has demonstrated his ability to play center field while belting out an impressive 58 home runs this season, and he previously set an American League record with 62 homers two seasons ago.

Soto, who feels like a seasoned veteran in the spotlight although he will just turn 26 this Friday, will bat second and play right field during Game 1 of the World Series.

On Saturday night, all of Soto’s immense skills and confidence converged in the batter’s box at Progressive Field. It was the 10th inning of a tied 2-2 game, with the Yankees ahead 3-1 in the American League Championship Series, and a fielding miscue offered them a prime opportunity to score big.

Soto prepared himself, taking two pitches, fouling off another several, his determination increasing as the pressure likely mounted for Guardians reliever Hunter Gaddis.

“I kept telling myself,” Soto shared in a TBS post-game interview, ‘I was ready for him; I was ready for him; I was ready for him.’”

Some may consider him overly confident, but sometimes truth is the best defense.

After battling through a series of changeups and sliders, Soto finally received the fastball he craved—the kind he crushes—and sent it soaring to right center field. He admired his hit, not simply because he believed it was gone, but also in the hopes that it would travel beyond the fence.

And indeed, it did.

After traveling 402 feet, it was one of the most significant home runs in Yankees history—rivaling Hideki Matsui’s two-run homer off Pedro Martinez in Game 6 of the 2009 World Series—and while the result ensured the Yankees’ World Series berth, it was also about something much larger:

Soto delivered as expected when the Yankees acquired him.

This coming offseason, his free agency will be a hot topic, and this October performance ensures he’ll be viewed as a player worth over half a billion dollars. Whether he stays in New York or goes elsewhere—regardless of whether the Yankees secure four more wins—his role has been invaluable.

“Not everyone embraces the pressure like Juan Soto does or many of our players,” remarked manager Aaron Boone during a press conference after Game 5.

“He thrives in it.”

Soto made significant contributions in this ALCS, starting with a solo homer in Game 1 and following it with Saturday’s pivotal shot. He is batting 11 for 33 this postseason, boasting a .450 on-base percentage, following a season in which he hit 41 home runs.

Despite the Yankees’ history of acquiring superstars—spending billions on payroll since their last World Series win—they faced continued obstacles from teams that seemed better prepared or simply luckier.

Consider the accomplishments of other teams: the San Francisco Giants have celebrated three championships, while the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros each have two titles since the Yankees last brought home the trophy. Even the Kansas City Royals have won the AL pennant twice and earned a championship.

This season, the stars have aligned for the Yankees.

Look at Stanton’s journey. He faced numerous injuries and setbacks throughout his time with the Yankees since joining from Miami in 2017, but everything fell into place this October. The Yankees have managed his usage carefully to protect his 6’6″, 245-pound frame, and he has rewarded them with 27 home runs, becoming a consistent asset when he’s in the lineup.

Stanton, who has hit 429 homers in his career, has truly come into his own this postseason, proving his worth and reinforcing the Yankees’ incredible comeback story.

A player with impressive achievements such as multiple runs, an NL MVP award, and a Home Run Derby title has now claimed the ALCS MVP trophy to add to his accolades.

On Saturday night, he launched a baseball at an incredible speed of 117.5 mph, showcasing his incredible strength, which aligns perfectly with his identity as a muscular figure on the field. This hit was not just any hit; it was a crucial two-run home run that disrupted Cleveland starter Tanner Bibee’s bid for a shutout and tied the game at 2-2.

The Guardians might regret throwing to Stanton; he made them pay by hitting the only strike thrown to him during a six-pitch at-bat, sending it out 446 feet.

In Game 1: He hit a solo home run.

In Game 3: He connected for a go-ahead solo home run in the eighth inning.

In Game 4: He contributed a go-ahead three-run homer in the sixth inning.

And then there’s Saturday’s home run, marking the 16th of his postseason career, all of which have been with the Yankees.

One might argue that his earlier postseason performances seemed inconsequential. Stanton joined the Yankees alongside manager Aaron Boone in 2018, just a year after Judge’s spectacular rookie season, which nearly earned him an MVP title. They faced tough losses against the Red Sox in the 2018 ALDS and the 2021 wild-card game, struggled against the Rays in the pandemic-affected 2020 ALDS, and were outmatched by the Astros in both the 2019 and 2022 ALCS.

Throughout this time, Stanton’s hefty $325 million contract and Judge’s service-time issues along with failed investments loomed large. Nevertheless, managing partner Hal Steinbrenner effectively made crucial decisions at key moments, such as re-signing Judge for $360 million and approving the trade for Soto this past winter.

Judge’s contract puts him under scrutiny from both opposing pitchers and the media; any lack of explosive performance is likely to rile fans. However, he certainly made his presence felt: hitting a home run in Game 2 and delivering a pivotal two-run blast in Game 3 that rattled Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase.

While some may fret about small sample sizes, Judge maintains an impressive .773 OPS and has hit 15 home runs across 53 playoff games in his career.

Currently, he has some backup. It’s uncertain if Soto will still be around next year, and there’s no guarantee Stanton will enjoy the same health in the next postseason.

For now, the Yankees are a formidable force: boasting a 7-2 record this October and looking strong as they aim for the World Series, showing no signs of slowing against any upcoming challengers.

Indeed, they are larger than life.