Rexford’s Ian Anderson Gets ‘Call to the Hall’ for Historic Game 3 Performance

At 23 years, 186 days old, Rexford native and Atlanta Braves starting pitcher, Ian Anderson, is officially a Baseball Hall-of-Famer.

Okay, I'm exaggerating a bit, but not entirely. Anderson had a historic performance in Game 3 of the 2021 World Series for the Braves against the Houston Astros. So much so, in fact, that a piece of memorabilia from that game is headed to Cooperstown, immortalizing the 23-year old among baseball's greatest stars.

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Anderson Had a Meteoric Rise Through the Ranks

A high school standout with Shenendehowa High School, Anderson forewent a college career at Vanderbilt after being drafted with the third overall pick by the Atlanta Braves in the 2016 MLB Draft.

It took Anderson just four years to ascend through five minor league levels, beginning in rookie level in 2016, and pitching in both Double-A and Triple-A in 2019. He was selected as one of 60 players in the Atlanta Braves' "player pool" in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, and he made his MLB debut the same year.

Anderson Made a Splash in the 2020 MLB Playoffs

Anderson pitched in four games in the 2020 playoffs for the Braves, facing the Cincinnati Reds, the Miami Marlins, and the Los Angeles Dodgers (the latter of which, he faced twice). Anderson did not allow a run over his first three starts, totaling 15.2 innings in those three games.

He gave up two runs in three innings of work against the Dodgers in a pivotal NLCS Game 7, a game that the Braves would end up losing. He, however, did not receive a decision, finishing the 2020 postseason with two wins, and a 0.96 ERA in four starts.

Anderson Proved Effective in his First Full MLB Season

Coming off of a successful 2020 campaign, Anderson was poised for another strong showing in 2021, and did not disappoint. The right-hander started 24 games for the Braves, winning nine games, and pitching to an ERA of 3.58, third-best among eligible Atlanta Braves starters.

Anderson Made History in the Playoffs, and Now Finds Himself in Cooperstown!

Already 1-0 in three postseason starts, Anderson toed the rubber for his first career World Series start on October 29th, 2021, against the Houston Astros. While he walked three in his five innings, the run column remained at zero.

So too, in fact, did the hits column.

When it was all said and done, Anderson left the game after five innings, having not allowed a single hit.

According to Griffin Haas and ABC News Channel 10, one of the game balls that Anderson used in that game was snatched up by the curators at the Baseball Hall of Fame, and is in transit to Cooperstown to be mounted in an exhibit in the Hall.

And don't forget, Ian Anderson is just 23 years old. We're not even close to seeing the full potential of Rexford's own.