HOUSTON – He’s here. He is there. He is everywhere.
Sorry, Roy Kent, but you’ve been replaced. Hey, you were just a fictional Futból midfielder. Evan Carter does it in real life.
He jumps onto the wall to catch it. He increases his speed to create a hustle double. He attacks balls defensively to prevent runs. And just when it seemed that even that might not be enough, he storms into the backcountry of Minute Maid Park to turn a game-changing goal into a decisive victory. Two of them, in fact, in the biggest moment of the Rangers’ 2-0 victory over Houston in Game 1 of the AL Championship.
Fans wave ghost towels from the upper concourse as Texas Rangers and Houston Astros players are introduced before Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, Oct. 15, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy (left) and Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker shake hands during team introductions before Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Sunday, Oct. 15, in Houston the hand. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)A Fan wears a hat commemorating the “ALCS Texas Showdown 2023” before Game 1 of the American League Championship Series between the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros on Sunday, Oct. 15, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien fist bumps his teammates as players line the third base path during player introductions before pitching in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, October 15th in Houston against the Houston Astros. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer )Texas Rangers and Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker form the baseline for the national anthem before Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Sunday, October 15, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery (right) takes a bow during the national anthem before Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Sunday, Oct. 15, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)Texas Rangers slugger Marcus Semien (2) is hit at first by the Houston first baseman in the first inning in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Sunday, October 15, in Houston Astros, Jose Abreu (79), substituted. (Smiley face.) N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) turns the front end of a double play against Corey Seager (5) in the first inning of Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Sunday. of the Texas Rangers, Oct. 15, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery delivers during the first inning in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Sunday, Oct. 15, in Houston.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)Houston Astros fans wave rally towels during Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Texas Rangers on Sunday, Oct. 15, in Houston.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)Houston Astros starter Justin Verlander delivers during the second innings in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Texas Rangers on Sunday, October 15, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers left fielder Evan Carter (32) slides safely to second with a second inning double before Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (3) during Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Sunday, October 15th in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / (Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers left fielder Evan Carter (32) slides safely to second with a second inning double as the ball is passed to Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (3), during Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Sunday, Oct. 15, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers center fielder Evan Carter (32) celebrates reaching second base after a double, as Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (3) watches during the second inning of Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, Oct. 15, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers center fielder Evan Carter (32), celebrates at second base after a double as Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (3 ) looks on during the second inning in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, October 15, in Houston. (Smiley N .Pool/Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim (28) hits a double to Evan Carter in the second inning in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Sunday, October 15, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers left fielder Evan Carter (32) is congratulated by teammate Nathaniel Lowe after pitching in the second inning in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Sunday, April 15 October, scored a goal in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Fans attempt to catch a foul ball down the right field line during the third inning in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series between the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros on Sunday, Oct. 15, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery (52) delivers during the third inning in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Sunday, October 15, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) strikes out to end the game in the third inning during Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Texas Rangers on Sunday, October 15, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery reacts after striking out Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez in the fifth inning in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, April 15. October to finish in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)A fan holds a sign during the third inning in Game 1 of the American League Championship series between the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros on Sunday, October 15, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) throws out the Houston Astros’ Jeremy Pena (3) in the third inning of Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, Sunday, Oct. 15, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) fouls off the field in the third inning in Game 1 of the American League Championship series against the Texas Rangers on Sunday, Oct. 15, in Houston. Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim (28) covers behind the plate. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux (right) visits the mound to check on starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery (opposite) during Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Sunday, October 15, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers batter Leody Taveras (3) hits a fifth-inning solo home run in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Sunday, October 15 , in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers centerfielder Leody Taveras rounds the bases after hitting a fifth-inning solo home run in the first game of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Sunday, April 15. October, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers center fielder Leody Taveras (3) receives a high-five from third base coach Tony Beasley after his fifth-inning solo home run in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Sunday, October 15, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers centerfielder Leody Taveras (3) is congratulated after his solo home run by teammate Marcus Semien (2) during the fifth inning in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Sunday, October 15, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Houston Astros center fielder Mauricio Dubon makes a diving catch on a line drive by Texas Rangers left fielder Evan Career during the sixth inning in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, October 15, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Houston Astros center fielder Mauricio Dubon makes a diving catch on a line drive by Texas Rangers left fielder Evan Career in the sixth inning of Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, Oct. 15, in Houston . (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander is visited by teammates during the seventh inning in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Texas Rangers on Sunday, Oct. 15, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Houston Astros fans cheer after Texas Rangers slugger Josh Jung strikes out during the seventh inning in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, Oct. 15, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung bows his head as God bless America is thrown during the seventh inning stretch in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Sunday, April 15. October, played in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery (52) is greeted by his teammates in the dugout for his exit during the seventh inning in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Sunday, October 15, in Houston congratulates. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers reliever Josh Sborz delivers during the seventh inning in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Sunday, Oct. 15, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers substitute Aroldis Chapman (45) enters the game for manager Bruce Bochy (right) during the eighth inning in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Sunday, October 15 , in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)Texas Rangers relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman delivers during the eighth inning in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Sunday, October 15, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers left fielder Evan Carter (32) makes a diving catch on a deep line drive during the eighth inning of Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, Oct. 15, in Houston Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)Texas Rangers left fielder Evan Carter (32) makes a diving catch on a deep line drive of the third during the eighth inning in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, Oct. 15, in Houston Houston Astros baseman Alex Bregman. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (left) watches from the top step as the Texas Rangers lead off the ninth inning in Game 1 of the 2020 Game on Sunday, October 15, in Houston Complete the American League Championship Series. Astros manager Dusty Baker Jr. is at right. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jose Leclerc pitches in the ninth inning against the Houston Astros Houston in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, October 15. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jose Leclerc (25) reacts after hitting Houston Astros left fielder Chas McCormick in the finale of Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, April 15. October, struck. in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers left fielder Evan Carter (left) celebrates with designated hitter Mitch Garver after a 2-0 victory over the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, October 13th. 15, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer) Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) and first baseman Nathaniel Lowe celebrate a 2-0 victory over the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, March 15 October, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
Jordan Montgomery threw up another gem. Leody Taveras hit a home run and reached base three times. The Rangers won for the sixth straight time and fifth straight on the road this postseason. But once again it was the legend of Evan Carter that made the story.
“That boy, Carter, what a game he had out there,” marveled manager Bruce Bochy, who has seen and done a lot in 26 years, but perhaps even he has never seen anything like the 21-year-old Carter just one month into his major league career.
On Sunday, he went to a spot at Minute Maid Park where guys don’t make catches to make the biggest catch of the game on an Alex Bregman drive in the eighth inning. It is a recess between the Crawford Box seating at left end and the field that projects toward the “garage doors” that protect the visitors’ bullpen on the left side. To even get there from left field you have to zigzag. Then he jumped to full extension, suddenly leaned one hand on the wall to his right, reached back and brought the ball in. Even with the roof open – and that wasn’t on Sunday evening – the place is in the shade.
“As far as retaining the ball, that’s what the outfield is all about,” Carter said. “Just go and get it.”
It wasn’t a matter of just going and getting it.
Texas Rangers left fielder Evan Carter (32) jumps and catches a deep ball from Houston Astros hitter Alex Bregman during the eighth inning in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, Oct. 15, in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
In the dugout, players watched in disbelief as they held out the “savior hands” gesture, which they had assumed was a signal in case Carter did something else amazing. In the suite where the Rangers officials who drafted and developed Carter were watching, they couldn’t even see the game, thinking the game had just been tied by a home run before the television cameras shot Carter with the ball panned. In the infield, players watched open-mouthed for a moment, then realized they had a chance to double baserunner Jose Altuve, who had failed to reach second base on his panicked trek back to first.
“Thank God for Evan Carter,” first baseman Nathaniel Lowe said. “He is naive to the circumstances and the environment. Somehow he managed to get back there and grab the ball. He just plays at such a high level and with such great skill.”
Backup catcher Austin Hedges, watching from the dugout, said: “We all just looked up and said, ‘There he is again.’ But we are probably the least surprised people ever. He’s been doing stuff like that since he got here.”
However, he couldn’t make it here in this strange little ballpark, nor with 42,872 people roaring at the top of their lungs. He had never played in Minute Maid before, which is an acquired talent even for veterans. He spent some time with veteran Robbie Grossman, who previously played left tackle in Houston, and talked about the angles, nooks and crannies.
Then he held a master class from the beginning. At the end of the first, he moved toward the line and made a jumping catch against Bregman to take away what would have been needed for extra bases. He rushed the ball hard in the third and fourth to keep the Astro runners from taking extra bases that would have caused more problems for starter Jordan Montgomery.
Oh, and he started the Rangers’ first rally with a single through the right side. Only Carter saw the ball bounce off Jose Abreu’s glove, picked up speed and converted it into a double. He then scored on Jonah Heim’s single.
The hit extended his postseason hitting streak to all six games in which he played. He also walked six times, hit a home run once, stole a base and scored runs while moving from ninth to fifth in the lineup.
“I’m just having fun,” Carter said. “That’s what it’s all about. We play a game. And it’s fun too. I’m just out here having a great time. I have a lot of great teammates around me. We enjoy coming to work every day in competition. It’s not over yet. We’re still on the move, we’re not done yet. But that was a lot of fun.”
No, it’s not finished yet. There are still more games to be won for the Rangers. And apparently Evan Carter has more mythology to create.
On Twitter/X: @Evan_P_Grant
Find more Rangers coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.