The 2021 Yankee defense was thoroughly mediocre.
Frankly, I'd been dumbed-down by the ineptitude. Watching great plays made by playoff teams has flagged our lousy glovework, off-line throws and limited range. After Aaron Judge and Gio Urshela (at 3B, not SS), we fielded a lineup of DHs. Luke Voit was certifiably horrible at 1B, Gary Sanchez was - well - Gary Sanchez, Gleyber Torres had to vacate SS, we marveled because Giancarlo Stanton seemed passable in LF, and Gardy's throws from CF barely reached the cutoff men on three bounces.
So in the one-game wild card, as Judge was steam-rolling around second following Stanton's wall-thumping rocket, third base coach Phil Nevin had ingested an entire season of Yankee botches, bumbles and boners - and had every reason to doubt the Redsocks could execute two perfect relays.
Also, Nevin had witnessed an entire year of the Yankees failing to drive in runners with less than two outs - and Joey Gallo was on-deck. (Turns out, he popped up, so no runner would have scored.) It was all-or-nothing, and Nevin went for it.
For some reason, Alex Rodriguez decided it was a terrible decision, worthy of criticizing Nevin for the rest of the game, and then doubling-down later.
Of course, I will never understand A-Rod, who seems one of the great bipolar disorders to ever play the game. In years past, it was a source of pride to see ex-Yanks in the broadcast booth for nationally televised games. But long ago, A-Rod became a nonstop psycho-gobble. He's like the Scarecrow after receiving his fake diploma: He expounds on everything - from the secrets of umpires to what's going on in batters' heads. Yeesh. I bet Jennifer Lopez has stories to tell.
The 2021 Yankees led humanity in being thrown out on the bases. That's because they fielded a slow-footed team that figured opposing defenses were as bad as theirs. We have six months to ponder everything that went wrong. If only it were the third-base coach.
I admire the shock headline, Duque! What a back page it would make.
ReplyDeleteGiven all the circumstances, Nevin was right to send him. Even a great defensive team will not make a perfect throw, perfect turn and throw, and then tag the majority of the time. Given how bad the Yanks were this year at getting runners home, it was a gamble, but not a massive one.
ReplyDeleteBut it doesn't matter. As Duque said, the problems with this team do not start with the third base coach.
The fault like not in the stars, but in systemic organizational dysfunction.
Which sounded better when Shakespeare said it.
A consideration for Nevin in that moment - can we trust the next batter to drive in this run? . The Bronx Bombers have Joey Gallo in the 4th spot! That alone tells the story of this poorly constructed team.
ReplyDeleteI'm ok with Nevin. We need more guys with his balls.
ReplyDeleteWatch the video of Mantle's walk off in the 1964 world series. He called that homer before he got up but he does nothing to show up the other side. No bat flip no pointing to the sky. Can't wait to get to the clubhouse and crack open a beer. Note how he's hobbling around the bases with taped knees. No DL for this guy.
Judge has this kind of stuff. So does Rizzo and Lemahieu and Urshela. Cole too because he obviously gives a shit.
While dont we shitcan the rest of these pussies.
Ceeja,
ReplyDeleteExcessive self-absorbing showboating really pisses me off. That and all of the bling jewelry.
Re: Statonian Single
I am not aware that Nevin is an awful human being. In fact, he may be a great guy. He appears to be when he is not in the 3rd base coaching box.
ReplyDeleteHoweva --- he is a horrible third base coach. Another terrible management move plugging the guy into the wrong slot.
It's amazing how much sucking the Giants can cram into one football quarter.
ReplyDeleteJust testing here...
ReplyDeleteMy feeling is, whenever you know the name of the third-base coach...you should not know the name of the third-base coach. Unless he's some beloved vet of your own team, like Willie Randolph or Frankie Crosetti. Or a character like Eddie Popowski, a former House of David guy on the Red Sox.
ReplyDelete(MLB has now officially banned characters in the game of baseball.)
There were too many times when guys who you could see from the cameras were obviously going to be out, were waved around by Nevin. But that said, yeah, this is like complaining that the salad bar on the Titanic was short on croutons.
Hey...we forced the Red Sox to execute perfectly on a play...I don't have an issue with that.
ReplyDeleteAnd how does A-God predict that Cole will win the Cy Young Award in 2022?
The Sox must suffer an ignominious and terrible defeat. They must, do you hear me?
ReplyDeleteNo question. With the harrowing, howling void that was the Yankees order 4-9, sending Judge was easily the best chance of getting that run in.
ReplyDeleteSending Judge was the right call. No question, particularly give the circumstances.
ReplyDeleteTo say A-Rod sucks as an announcer and human being is just an understatement.
2021 looks like a Red Sox year. Who's going to beat them in that ballpark?
ReplyDelete'13, '18, '21...Cash, you awake?
ReplyDeletePlease oh please, don't let the Sux move on, URRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!
ReplyDelete