Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole claimed he was unaware that Guardians designated hitter Josh Naylor had cruelly teased him while running the bases following a fourth-inning leadoff home run that had brought Cleveland within one run until after his season-saving start on Sunday night.
After the Yankees’ 4-2 victory in Game 4 of the ALDS, Cole claimed he learned that Naylor had pretended to rock a baby while taking his turn at first base, rounding third base, and sprinting home.
Additionally, it appears that Cole was unaware that Naylor gave him a death gaze throughout his home run trot and accentuated it with the remark, “That’s my little F-ing son,” into a television camera.
He is now aware.
His response?
During his press conference after the game, Cole exclaimed, “Whatever,” with a disgusted expression. It’s adorable.
Cole was obviously holding his tongue. He seemed on the verge of responding to Naylor, but decided against it.
When asked if he was upset, Cole responded, “I just learned of it. I didn’t see it at the time, and I wasn’t disturbed by it then. Additionally, it’s amusing in a way.
Never, ever believe that.
By the way, Naylor has performed well against Cole; with this 1-for-3 performance, the left-handed Canadian now has three jacks over 18 career at-bats, including the regular season and two postseason series. He is batting.278 overall with those three jacks.
No, Pedro Martinez isn’t praising the Yankees in this video any more than he did in September 2004. Not Naylor, Cole’s father.
We’ll have to wait to hear what Naylor has to say about his actions, which have been utilized after home runs off other pitchers, as he didn’t give any interviews after Game 4. In a breakout 2022 season, Naylor hit.256 with 20 home runs and 79 RBI over 122 games.
Earlier this month, Guardians pitcher Triston McKenzie shared his opinion on the excessive showboating that, in a previous period, would have led in a fastball to the ear in the following at-bat.
At the time, McKenzie remarked, “When he hits home runs off guys, he calls them his son. “Therefore, the infant is being rocked as he runs around the bases.”
Although entertaining, the Yankees are unlikely to forget it because they undoubtedly feel that it was inappropriate and unethical. They achieved this on Sunday night by winning to force a decisive Game 5 at Yankee Stadium on Monday night, which will determine who advances to the ALCS.
Aaron Boone, the manager of the Yankees, stated, “We can’t get sucked into it. “We’re aiming for victory.”
PHOTO CREDITS: https://commons.wikimedia.org/