World Series Analysis: Tim Wakefield Made Aaron Boone Yankees Manager

On Wednesday evening, I watched episode considered one of The Comeback. The episode reinforces each damaging feeling I’ve ever had in regards to the New York Yankees. They’re (rightfully) portrayed as vile, holier-than-thou individuals who suppose baseball is one thing apart from a sport. Not that you just want reminding, however the 2003 Pink Sox season that’s highlighted in that episode was ended by Aaron Boone’s walk-off house run in sport seven of the ALCS. Tim Wakefield pitched an awesome sport, however within the eleventh inning, he threw a knuckleball that didn’t fairly knuckle and located its solution to the seats.

Quick ahead to 2018, and the Yankees are on the lookout for a brand new supervisor. Somewhat than hiring somebody with teaching expertise, they employed Aaron Boone. Boone jumped from TV analyst to boss of the Yankees in a single low season. There may have been different groups all in favour of hiring Boone, however his standing as a Yankees hero might have performed some half within the resolution. (Be aware: Regardless of beating the Pink Sox, the Yankees didn’t win the 2003 World Collection).

By Yankee requirements, Boone’s tenure has been unsuccessful. Whereas they’ve constantly been within the playoffs, that is the primary yr they’ve superior to the World Collection. In Boone’s first World Collection sport final evening towards the Dodgers, he made the choice to insert Nestor Cortes within the sport with one out within the backside of the tenth inning. Some may describe the choice as questionable, however I might describe it as certifiably insane.

Cortes is a pitcher who depends on command and deception above all else. His stuff is okay, however he lacks velocity and sometimes makes use of trickery to maintain hitters off steadiness. He additionally hadn’t pitched in over a month coming into tonight’s sport. You don’t put a pitcher in your roster if you happen to don’t suppose they will present one thing within the collection. You additionally don’t put a pitcher who depends on command within the sport with the bases loaded and three former MVPs coming to the plate for his first look in a number of weeks.

Hindsight is 20-20, however what was Boone pondering? Cortes will are available and out of the blue begin throwing 95 MPH with pristine command? Did he suppose this was a direct-to-TV Disney film starring a artful lefty with a shitty mustache? Was he anticipating Cortes to sneak a 92 MPH fastball by Freddie Freeman? No, he thought Cortes had been throwing the ball very well just lately.

I don’t need to give Aaron Boone recommendation, however he ought to contemplate the scenario the following time he decides like this. Cortes had been throwing the ball very well over the previous couple of weeks — towards no person. Throwing a bullpen throughout rehab may be very completely different than pitching to future Corridor-of-Famers with a World Collection sport on the road.

Briefly, thanks, Tim Wakefield, for throwing a knuckleball that didn’t knuckle. It was an integral domino within the collection of occasions that led to reversing the curse, and guaranteeing the Yankees have an absolute bozo calling the pictures.