Aaron Boone will most likely have the worst nightmare after Friday’s Game 1 of the World Series. His wrong bullpen call in the 10th inning cost the team its victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers as they recorded a sad 3-6 score.
Fans are fuming over social media after Nestor Cortes’s first-pitch fastball helped Dodgers Freddie Freeman’s grand slam, clinching a crucial win for the team. Sports personalities, including fans, were shocked to see Boone pick Cortes, who has not pitched since September 18, to face a star-packed Dodgers lineup like – Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freeman.
Initially, pitcher Jake Cousins would’ve taken the field, but Aaron Boone pulled him out and replaced him with Cortes. The 29-year-old pitcher struggled in his first official game since getting injured during regular season games.
In fact, he is still in the healing process, which further made things worse considering the timing and tension in the arena. Many furiously ranted about how the Yankees literally handed the game over to the Dodgers, despite their lead in the early innings.
YES Network host Michael Kay even questioned why Boone did not use Tim Hill instead of Nestor Cortes who was already in the bullpen and ready to go. Furthermore, Hill has continuously proved himself as a pinstripe in the past games, solidifying his record.
The Yankees fall to the Dodgers in Game 1. @boblorenz, @flash17yes, @JackCurryYES, and @RealMichaelKay react to the 6-3 loss.
Watch #YANKSonYES live on YES, the YES App, and The Gotham Sports App: https://t.co/sWMqNZ0hci pic.twitter.com/8dlnJbpwfw
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) October 26, 2024
Even NY Yankees legend Derek Jeter torched him for his wrong call. He questioned why Aaron Boone took out Gerrit Cole who was pitching fine till 88, and disrupted the flow of the game. Jeter said his mistake would put a “domino effect on not only this game tonight, tomorrow’s game, and the rest of this series.”
Phew! Friday night did not have a positive start for the NY Yankees. It hurt the fanbase all the more as they were in the lead until a few wrong calls, and decisions ruined the night for the pinstripes.
Social media is literally on fire as fans bash Aaron Boone and his decision to pull out Nestor Cortes instead of Tim Hill in the 10th inning of the World Series. One X user noted, “Send him to the moon. This is absurd.” While another penned, “Dumbest bullpen move of all time.” Check out more reactions below:
dumbest bullpen move of all time 🤣
— bchillz (@bchillz42) October 26, 2024
Send him to the moon. This is absurd
— Renny Kruse (@rkruse1212) October 26, 2024
Aaron Boone brings in a guy who hasn’t pitched in a month to close out a World Series game with a lead 😂😂😂😂😂😂
YOU CANT FUCKING MAKE IT UP pic.twitter.com/leKDHnkJri
— Tommy G (@TommygWinsAgain) October 26, 2024
“Gerrit Cole was dominating this game… And if you take him out after 88 pitches for I don’t know what reason, it’s a domino effect on not only this game tonight, tomorrow’s game, and the rest of this series.” – Derek Jeter on Aaron Boone’s decisionpic.twitter.com/DpfEYNmFpu
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 26, 2024
This is going to be a meme for years to come
— coach jj (@usabaseballprep) October 26, 2024
if you woke up hungover on this beautiful Saturday morning, don’t worry: you still had a better night than Aaron Boone
— malik umar (@malikumar294) October 26, 2024
Gerrit Cole literally pitched the game of his life for Aaron Judge to strike out three times, defensive errors, and Aaron Boone to put in a pitcher who hasn’t pitched in a month to face three MVP’s. It truly does not get worse than this. A game that should have been won.
— yamilka (@umyamilka) October 26, 2024
Aaron Boone sent Nestor Cortes out into the wilderness of the World Series and then intentionally walked one of the worst #Postseason hitters of our generation to face Freddie Freeman.
Good night. 😂pic.twitter.com/yi9w53JHoU
— Ahaan Rungta (@AhaanRungta) October 26, 2024
AARON BOONE YOU HAVE THE OWNER OF FREEMAN ON YOUR TEAM AND DONT PUT HIM IM TO PITCH AGAINST HIM?? pic.twitter.com/q8pLMnNeIo
— Christian (@Clafter12) October 26, 2024
Aaron Boone can stuff it. He is awful at making decisions. He blew that game. I don’t blame Nestor Cortes. I blame Aaron Boone.
— @Matthew Betley (@MatthewBetley) October 26, 2024
You bring in a fucking pitcher who hasn’t pitched in months over someone who’s been solid all post season
— JC_XCV (@JC_XCV) October 26, 2024
Actual footage of Aaron Boone giving Game 1 to the Dodgers… pic.twitter.com/SZsq6KTNQG
— Nikki (@blondinthebronx) October 26, 2024
Now the LA Dodgers have a 1-0 lead in the World Series. The Yankees will have to be careful not to let it be 2-0 as it’ll be tough to recover from that. After a major bullpen mistake, the MLB world will keep a close eye on Boone’s actions in Game 2 of the World Series.