Jeremy Peña is having an outstanding postseason. His batting average has hovered around .300 and he hit his first home run of the World Series — a go-ahead shot that chased Phillies starter Noah Syndergaard from the game — in the fourth inning of a pivotal Game 5 Thursday.
It was his fourth home run of the 2022 playoffs as he added to his legacy this October. He was named MVP of the Astros' ALCS sweep of the Yankees.
MORE: How Pena has set himself apart from Derek Jeter, other rookie shortstops in World Series
One interesting quirk of the 25-year-old star is how he celebrates his hits. Peña flashes his hands in the shape of a heart toward his team's dugout after he gets on base (or rounds the bases, as it were).
Why does Jeremy Peña do the heart hands gesture?
The reason why Peña does this is remarkably simple. "It's a heart," he told TBS's Lauren Shehadi after the ALCS. "It's for my mom."
For momma 🫶 #Postseason pic.twitter.com/yJLeTiYhdZ
— Cut4 (@Cut4) October 20, 2022
It's a nice, simple gesture from the young shortstop, who likely won't win AL Rookie of the Year but has proved to be the most valuable rookie in the league this postseason.
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With his blast against Syndergaard, Peña became the first rookie shortstop to homer in the World Series. That happened just days after he became the first rookie shortstop to win a Gold Glove.
Adding to the list of firsts, Peña and the Phillies' Bryson Stott are the first pair of rookie shortstops to face off in the World Series.
Peña is looking to cement his legacy by adding to his already impressive postseason performance. One heart at a time.
