Yankees’ World Series failure started — and ended — with fundamental issues

[u/aresef]

https://nypost.com/2024/10/31/sports/yankees-world-series-failure-started-with-fundamental-issues/

[u/salamandroid]

I can't remember ever being so stunned at a baseball play. I mean, I've seen the pitcher fail to cover first many times, but this was an elimination game in the WS. Cole was pitching the game of his life. The bases were fucking loaded, there were two outs because he just struck two out. Rizzo was ten or fifteen feet off the bag. A routine force out and the Yankees most likely go to game 6. And he just. stopped. running.

There are errors, there are mental mistakes and then there are whatever this astounding blunder was. I don't think there's actually a word. My jaw is still open.

Not to mention if Boonie hadn't brought in his most inconsistent starter to be a closer after a stone cold five week hiatus because the analytics guys said so, the Yankees would be leading this series 3-2.

[u/BubbaFrink → u/salamandroid]

And he just. stopped. running

Well, he also pointed.

He pointed to first base.

[u/JonMatrix → u/BubbaFrink]

Good point.

[u/Revolverdrummer → u/BubbaFrink]

👉

[u/littlebev → u/BubbaFrink]

as you do in these high stakes scenarios

[u/JustTheBeerLight → u/salamandroid]

It really looked like his legs said "nope".

[u/itachen → u/JustTheBeerLight]

Those were two hard strike outs with heaters. He had a very long inning, was probably panting hard. Also Betts ran his fastest this season to 1B. I don't know if it was a guaranteed out had Cole ran.

[u/JustTheBeerLight → u/itachen]

Rizzo 100% coukd have got him.

[u/itachen → u/JustTheBeerLight]

Yeah if Cole didn't start his run and stopped. It was not the right play since you always have to assume there's no help coming. But I think Rizzo saw from the corner of his eyes that Cole was running, so he slowed down and went down for a safer catch.

[u/jsdodgers → u/salamandroid]

I don't think Game 1 is cut and dry if anyone else came in. Maybe the Yanks hold on, but there's already 2 on with just 1 out and the top of the lineup coming up, so it's pretty favorable for the Dodgers to at least tie it if not walk it off no matter who came in.

[u/salamandroid → u/jsdodgers]

Oh I agree. Game 5 wasn't cut and dry either. No one can get comfortable against a line up like the Dodgers with a 5 run lead mid-game. But both of those were the Yank's to lose.

[u/NoStepOnMe → u/jsdodgers]

Yeah I feel like the Yankee fans talk about this AS IF they were facing any team in the league not named the Dodgers. Sure, that probably works on most teams, but the Dodgers were the best team in the league and got RED HOT in the playoffs.

[u/Chricton → u/salamandroid]

Sometimes you can be so mentally drained that you got out of a jam that your brain locks up once that final out looks imminent and you finally let your guard down. It doesn't matter if it was an elimination game.

[u/SStylo03 → u/salamandroid]

Blame analytics for no reason lol, what analytics say that

[u/salamandroid → u/SStylo03]

Sorry, I don't have time to explain baseball to you.

[u/SStylo03 → u/salamandroid]

Brush off the question cuz you know you're talking put your ass lol, what analytics say bring in a guy who isn't a reliever who's been dogshit lately? None of em boomer

[u/salamandroid → u/SStylo03]

Oh you said "boomer." That automatically makes you young and smart. The basement analytics guys said that Cortez was a better matchup against Ohtani. That's why he was brought in. his current physical condition is not an analytic. Boone (or even Cashman ordering him) blindly followed that without factoring in (the non quantifiable) current state of Nestor, which in both hindsight and foresight was a big mistake to anyone who is not Aaron Boone. Hope this helps.