The New York Yankees have fallen all the way down the American League East standings after some poor play in recent months. Fans have been critical of the team’s effort during their struggles, and this was seen yet again in Saturday’s game against the Houston Astros.
The Yankees found themselves with a great scoring chance in the bottom of the third inning after a two-out double by star slugger Giancarlo Stanton.
Yankees second baseman D.J. Lemahieu then laced a single into right-center field that looked like it may score Stanton testing the center fielder from second base.
However, as the throw came in from home Stanton appeared to slow up considerably instead of giving full effort to try and score on the play. As a result, he was easily thrown out at home plate and the Yankees scoring chance was stifled.
A less than stellar effort on the basepaths for Giancarlo Stanton as he is gunned down at home plate… 😬pic.twitter.com/qlRYrsyn23
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) August 5, 2023
Stanton slowed up nearly halfway to home, and it looked like it certainly would have been a close play if he was instead running full speed the entire way and slid at home plate.
Yankees fans were already frustrated with their season coming into this game, and this lackluster effort given by Stanton on this play certainly didn’t help matters…
Arguably one of the most pathetic base running attempts I’ve ever bet seen. https://t.co/JThdS9R5GE
— Dylan Reeves (@Dyl_Reeves83) August 5, 2023
I'm sorry, but you can't actually expect to win meaningful games with this type thing in your everyday lineup.
Stanton just took a run off the board because he's not confident he can sprint without getting injured…
Who cares about the dead money, DFA this dude. https://t.co/FACnwsf8SS
— Rob Donaldson (@RobDFB) August 5, 2023
Pathetic effort https://t.co/Px5IOw2MyK
— 📧 🌎☮️ (@EricTheMetsFan) August 5, 2023
Stanton is a treat to watch in the box when he's on one of his impossible tears
He is 33 and runs like 42 y/o Albert Pujols
How does he get waved around to score from second on anything other than a ball that hits the wall?
How have the Yankees allowed him to run this poorly? https://t.co/OneNGQcHsH
— Christian Katt (@CKattSports) August 5, 2023
Wowsa, Giancarlo Stanton can barely move anymore. I know there's two outs but no way he should be sent there. https://t.co/mvbVYfqmGU
— Frank Stampfl (@Roto_Frank) August 5, 2023
Stanton undoubtedly isn’t the fastest baserunner at this point in his career, but he was running considerably slow even for his standards.
Yankees third-base coach Luis Rojas should also get some blame for sending Stanton in the first place, but he likely didn’t anticipate that Stanton wouldn’t give his all on the play.
Regardless, play like this simply aren’t going to lead to wins, and show exactly why the Yankees are in the position that they are.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.