What if Eduardo Nunez was the greatest player alive?: Part five

Using the video game Out of the Park Baseball 21, we’ve been trying to create the greatest player in baseball history. To make matters funnier, we’re using Eduardo Nunez to try and accomplish this task. If you would like to catch up, you can read parts one through three at the following links: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four

Where we last left off, Nunez and the Yankees were headed to the playoffs after a 120-win season and an AL East title. Their ALDS opponent would be the Indians, after Cleveland knocked off the Angels in the Wild Card Game.

The Yankees were a little banged up heading into the postseason with both Gerrit Cole done for the season and DJ LeMahieu out for the series. Thankfully, Nunez has become a pitcher capable of throwing multiple perfect games in a season, so the Yankees will have him in store. However, James Paxton was given the start in Game One. Nunez recorded two hits in the opener, but Aaron Hicks was the Game One hero as his two-run home run was the difference in a 3-2 win.

Nunez did get the nod as starting pitcher in Game Two and had what will likely go down as one of the best games in playoff history. On the mound, he held Cleveland to one run on one hit while striking out 28. (The game didn’t go to extras but that’s not a typo.) However at the plate, he went 4-4 with a walk, 6 RBI and two home runs in an 11-1 win.

Cleveland actually battled back to even the series at two games, forcing a decisive Game Five. Boone made the smart decision to bring back Nunez on short-ish rest. He responded by joining Don Larsen in throwing a perfect game in the playoffs. With that, the Yankees were on to the ALCS, where a familiar face would be waiting for them.

For the third time in four years, the Yankees would face the Astros in the ALCS. They got good non-Nunez news when LeMahieu returned to the roster.

The Yankees would have to battle back in the series after the Astros took Game One. Houston even gave Nunez his worst outing on the mound all season in Game Three, knocking him out after seven innings, but the Yankees eventually won in extra innings, taking a 2-1 lead. They followed that with two more wins to complete their vengeance. Hicks was named ALCS MVP despite Nunez posting a .652 OBP.

The World Series opponent would be the Dodgers, who weren’t far behind the Yankees at 114 wins.

The early series end allowed Boone to bring back Nunez for Game One, and he responded by throwing a no-hitter, while also going 3-4 with two RBI in a win. After the game, the manager praises an abstract concept, seemingly unwilling to admit how large a part a seemingly superman has played in the Yankees success.

The Yankees dropped Game Two and then had to rally in Game Three. An easy Game Four win meant Nunez would be given the ball in Game Five with a chance to cap off his and the Yankees’ incredible season. Could he deliver a 28th World Series crown?

Was there any doubt?

Nunez won World Series MVP after putting up a 0.00 ERA with two complete games and a .611/.667/1.056 performance at the plate. Hal Steinbrenner, clearly baffled by Nunez’s acquisition and the lowered expectations that came with it, was pleased with the results.

Unsurprisingly, Nunez won both AL MVP and AL Cy Young. He seems pretty pleased with the results of the 2020 season.