New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone is at the center of controversy after offering a questionable defense of a crucial error by first baseman Paul Goldschmidt in the game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The play, which resulted in the tying run and ultimately a lopsided 12-5 loss, marked the Yankees’ ninth error in just four games, exacerbating fans’ frustration.
In the seventh inning, with the Yankees clinging to a narrow lead, Goldschmidt attempted a risky throw home with runners on second and third, rather than securing the out at first. The throw went awry, allowing the tying run to score and opening the door for a Phillies comeback. When questioned about Goldschmidt’s action, Boone offered an explanation that many called absurd.
Aaron Boone’s defense
Aaron Boone spoke at a press conference and had a questionable defense of his player. “Yeah, we’re in the corners, up by one… playing back in the middle. You know, what complicates it there is that Turner is the runner at third… he didn’t hit it hard to his right, but Luke knows that too. So he’s just trying to make a play. Um, you know, it’s a little bit of no man’s land. We’re not going to… make the play.”
“Even though we don’t have a play there, you know, maybe something happens, the runner trips or something… You’re trying to make a play there, and he was… balanced enough to make a good throw, I think,” Boone added.
Many fans considered Boone’s justification as another example of his lack of responsibility and pointed to it as a reason for dismissal. Boone’s seemingly lackadaisical attitude toward the team’s errors and poor run, which has gone 21-27 in its last 48 games with 30 errors committed, has exhausted the patience of even the most optimistic supporters, who are clamoring for a change in attitude and results.
Paul Goldschmidt takes all the criticism
After his manager’s defense and questioning from fans, Paul Goldschmidt faced the media and was quite self-critical of his performance and the play in question.
“Probably an overly aggressive play on my part trying to make a play where they were going to be safe anyway, and that led to another runner advancing instead of just getting the out at first. So it was a mistake… Looking back, I should have made the play and gone to first base there,” the player commented.
The contrast between Boone’s and Goldschmidt’s statements has generated a lot of annoyance among fans, mainly against the team’s manager. The situation is not the best and the fans are already beginning to lose patience.
Read the full article here
