Rescind all your Giancarlo Stanton disdain, whoever you are. The apologies are in order, and they should've been for quite some time. The New York Yankees slugger is on an historic heater that will be remembered forever.
With the Yankees leading the Dodgers 4-0 in Game 5 of the World Series, Stanton added to that cushion with a massive opposite-field solo shot off Ryan Brasier, a former Red Sox enemy who deserves every last run scored off of him.
Yankee Stadium's energy was off the charts, still riding a wave from the Aaron Judge-Jazz Chisholm back-to-back homers in the first inning. This is the scene everybody's been waiting for in the Bronx. And we all know a majestic Stanton bomb can only liven the crowd further.
But it wasn't just your classic Stanton blast — it was a Yankees record setter. He went yard for the seventh time this postseason, which is the most in Yankees history. Like we said: fully immune from future criticism. He is a legend no matter how this World Series unfolds.
That wasn't even the best part! The FOX broadcast cut to an in-game interview with Aaron Boone right as Stanton stepped into the batter's box, and Boone screamed "BANG!" at the crack of the bat.
Giancarlo Stanton sets Yankees postseason history with another home run vs Dodgers
That was also Stanton's 18th October home run in pinstripes, which ties him with Mickey Mantle on the team's all-time list. He's now two away from Derek Jeter and four away from Bernie Williams (who is somehow the only non-Hall of Famer on this illustrious list).
Though Mantle's mark of 18 is perhaps the most impressive number on the list because back then there weren't any playoff matches before the World Series, there's something to be said about Stanton hammering the league's best pitching on the biggest stage in the manner he has since joining the franchise before the 2018 campaign.
It'll obviously be a shame if the Yankees have nothing to show for Stanton's dominant run, but fans have new life after the Game 4 win and early Game 5 lead.
Then it's back to Los Angeles, where Stanton is very comfortable playing in his hometown. If anything, it's all set up for a storybook ending nobody would've ever dreamed of just 36 hours ago.