Yankees’ World Series Collapse
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The New York Yankees’ championship drought was exemplified in the fifth inning of Game 5 of the 2024 World Series, where a series of blunders led to their downfall against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Aaron Judge dropped a routine line drive, Anthony Volpe made an errant throw to third, and Gerrit Cole failed to cover first. These misplays contributed to the Yankees blowing a 5-0 lead and losing the series in five games.
Misplays Throughout the Series
The Yankees’ struggles were evident not just in Game 5, but also in Game 1, where several missed opportunities could have swung the outcome in their favor. Throughout the series, they were plagued by base-running errors and a lack of fundamentals. Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly publicly criticized the Yankees’ performance, suggesting they were among the weaker teams in the postseason. “I acknowledge that we played poorly in the World Series,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman stated at the MLB general managers’ meetings, confessing their A-game didn’t show up when it mattered.
Persistent Sloppiness Amid Defensive Metrics
Despite their postseason issues, Yankees’ overall defensive metrics remained respectable, finishing 10th in outs above average and 12th in defensive runs saved. Cashman emphasized that, although critical errors were unforgettable, the team’s regular performance did not align with the narrative of being fundamentally unsound. “We just played poorly in that series and underperformed,” he said, asserting that they were worthy contenders in the American League East.
Base Running Struggles and Future Improvements
The Yankees’ most significant weakness this season was base running, ranking last in both FanGraphs’ and Statcast’s metrics for runs above average. The lack of speed among their regular players contributed heavily to this deficiency, as only two starters ranked above the 50th percentile for sprint speed. Despite this, Yankees’ director of speed development Matt Talarico is currently interviewing for other coaching positions. “If we’re so bad, then why are so many teams asking for permission to talk to our base-running expert?” Cashman remarked, remaining optimistic about their minor league’s success in developing speed.
As the team approaches free agency, decisions regarding Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo, Anthony Rizzo, and Gleyber Torres—each considered below-average base runners—will be crucial. Cashman indicated that replacing these players with more agile options could significantly enhance the Yankees’ base running in 2025. “We’re really super proud about it,” he concluded, reflecting on a season that ultimately earned them a spot in the World Series despite fundamental missteps.
Source and credits: www.nytimes.com
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