It doesn’t take much for the Boston Red Sox–New York Yankees rivalry to pick up steam.
While it hasn’t been as heated in the last few years with the Red Sox slipping in the standings, we had some spice this weekend.
The New York Post reported Monday that Major League Baseball is investigating Red Sox manager Alex Cora’s comments that seemed to suggest his team may have tried to intentionally hit Yankees star Aaron Judge with a pitch.
The incident stemmed from Saturday’s game when Yankees ace Gerrit Cole hit Red Sox star Rafael Devers in the first inning and then intentionally walked him in the fourth with the bases empty.
An angry Cora was of the belief that Cole intentionally hit Devers in the first.
When asked Sunday whether the incident was in the rear-view mirror, Cora said: “It was closed (Saturday) around the sixth inning. We had our chance. It didn’t happen.”
In that sixth inning, Brayan Bello threw a pitch behind Judge’s legs.
Cora said he spoke with Judge and Yankees manager Aaron Boone after Saturday’s game.
“It was a good convo. I’ll kind of keep it at that,” said Judge, per MLB.com. “You play this game for a while, things like that happen. I know they’re upset that three of their guys got hit that day, and I think they’re just protecting their players.
“So something’s got to happen, and that’s the way this game kind of gets policed. It’s been policed for over 100 years. So I think the biggest thing is, just don’t miss when you do it.”
Boone denied Cole was throwing at Devers.
“First of all, I would say Gerrit was not throwing at him,” said Boone. “I have a lot of respect for Alex and think he’s great at what he does. I think it’s also a manager that’s using that moment a little bit to rally his troops a little bit as they’re fighting for their playoff lives.
“They’re playing for a lot over there, and I think this is an opportunity to galvanize them a little bit. I think (there is) probably a little gamesmanship to it.”
The Yankees lost Saturday’s game 7-1, but won three of four in the series and have a three-game lead on the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East.
The Red Sox are 4.5 games out o a wild-card spot.
Major League Baseball (MLB) has launched an investigation into comments made by Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora regarding New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge. Cora’s remarks came after Judge was hit by a pitch during a recent game between the two teams.
During a post-game press conference, Cora expressed his frustration with the situation, suggesting that Judge may have been intentionally hit by the pitch. Cora’s comments have raised eyebrows within the baseball community, as accusations of intentional beanballs are taken very seriously by MLB.
The league has a strict policy against pitchers intentionally throwing at batters, and any evidence of such behavior can result in fines, suspensions, or other disciplinary actions. In this case, MLB is looking into whether Cora’s comments constitute a violation of this policy.
Cora has since clarified his remarks, stating that he did not mean to imply that the Yankees were intentionally targeting Judge. However, MLB will still conduct a thorough investigation to determine the facts surrounding the incident.
The rivalry between the Red Sox and Yankees is one of the most storied in all of sports, and tensions often run high when the two teams face off. However, it is important for all parties involved to maintain professionalism and respect for the game at all times.
MLB takes player safety very seriously, and any actions that put players at risk will be met with swift and appropriate punishment. As the investigation into Cora’s comments continues, both teams will be closely monitored to ensure that the rivalry remains competitive but respectful.
In the meantime, fans of both teams will have to wait and see what conclusions MLB reaches regarding this incident. Regardless of the outcome, it serves as a reminder of the importance of sportsmanship and fair play in the world of professional baseball.