Eli's 2019 season wasn't just a coronation; it was a declaration. The subsequent years, 2020 through 2022, saw him solidify his position not merely as a superstar, but as the undisputed best player in baseball. This era cemented his standard, even as the league's attempts to dethrone him escalated.
The "Vance Plan" became standard operating procedure across all 29 opposing teams. Before every series against the Yankees, opposing managers would hold "Eli meetings," meticulously dissecting his every tendency. Pitchers were instructed to throw him pitches they wouldn't dare throw to anyone else – high fastballs on the black, sliders that barely grazed the outside corner, changeups thrown with unnatural deception.
Task: Adjust to opposing pitcher's new two-seam fastball. Identify release point and drive for power.
Eli felt these strategic shifts instantly. The system wasn't just guiding his self-improvement; it was providing a counter-intelligence. He found himself pre-emptively adjusting his plate approach based on subtle nudges from the system, anticipating pitch sequences, and adapting his swing path to specific deliveries. This led to the unlocking of crucial new perks.
Perk Unlocked: Adaptive Hitter. Gain increased ability to adjust to new pitching strategies and individual pitcher tendencies mid-game.
In the field, teams began deploying extreme "Vance Shifts." If Eli was known to hit the ball to right-center, the entire outfield would shift, and the second baseman might play almost directly behind the first base bag.
Task: Execute a perfect drag bunt for a single against an extreme shift. Successfully achieve this 3 times this season.
The system guided his bat, his footwork. He'd bunt, not just to move runners, but to exploit the acres of open grass, turning desperate defensive strategies into easy singles. His BaserunningIQ received boosts from tasks to analyze and exploit these shifts, taking extra bases where others wouldn't dare.
In 2020, Eli finally claimed his first American League MVP Award, leading the league in multiple offensive categories and continuing his Gold Glove streak. The Yankees, fueled by his unwavering performance, surged into the postseason. His Clutch attribute became legendary, perfected by system tasks like: Deliver the game-winning hit in 5 different high-leverage situations during the postseason.
In the World Series, Eli was a force, delivering a walk-off home run in Game 4 and making a series-saving diving catch in Game 6. The Yankees hoisted the Commissioner's Trophy, their first in years, and Eli was rightfully named World Series MVP.
The next two years followed a similar pattern. Eli continued to dominate, winning another MVP in 2022, and securing more Gold Gloves and Silver Sluggers. The league's efforts to stop him became more desperate, drafting flame-throwing relievers and developing unpredictable knuckleballers solely to throw Eli off. Pitchers would attempt to brush him back, challenging his resolve.
Task: Hit a home run off a pitch thrown high and inside after a brush-back. Prove unyielding focus.
Eli's Composure attribute steadily climbed, making him an unmovable object at the plate. He simply smiled, dug back in, and often sent the next pitch screaming over the fence. His absolute dominance was now an established, irrefutable fact, a constant, frustrating reality for 29 other teams.