BREAKING: Is Aaron Boone’s ‘Grady Little Moment’ in the World Series the Final Straw for the Yankees?

Aaron Boone

Did New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone just have his “Grady Little moment”?

Two outs from winning Game 1 of the World Series 3-2 on Friday night, Boone turned to left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes, who hadn‘t pitched in 37 days, to save the game by facing the top of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ order.

It failed miserably — and could raise uncomfortable questions about Boone’s job security if the Yankees do not win the World Series.

Although Cortes got Shohei Ohtani to fly out in foul territory for the second out, the Yankees walked Mookie Betts to load the bases to pitch to Freddie Freeman, who proceeded to launch a walk-off grand slam. Dodgers 6, Yankees 3 in 10 innings.

On Thursday‘s ESPN “Baseball Tonight” podcast, MLB insider Buster Olney was asked which manager, Boone or the Dodgers’ Dave Roberts, was more “vulnerable” in terms of his job security. While Olney thought both were safe and would get extensions in the offseason, he left one caveat — the type that played out Friday.

“I think they are equally vulnerable,” Olney said. “It sounds like a cop-out but I think they are in a really great position now that they‘ve reached the World Series. … The Yankees getting back to World Series for the first time since 2009.

“(But) I do think that if there‘s a Grady Little moment. Like if there’s one major decision in a big spot that turns out to be decisive, that fuels talk radio, especially for Aaron Boone. Then, yeah, potentially that manager could be more vulnerable.”

Boone turned to Cortes, who last pitched Sept. 18, over Tim Hill, a funky left-handed reliever with a 3.36 ERA in the regular season and one earned run allowed in 5 2/3 innings in the postseason. Additionally, he was a player who at least had been pitching in competitive games, unlike Cortes who was resting and rehabbing his flexor tendon strain (which will likely require surgery) over the past month-plus.

In Game 7 of the 2003 AL Championship Series, former Boston Red Sox manager Grady Little kept in Pedro Martinez in the eighth inning against the Yankees with a 5-2 lead. Five batters later, the score was 5-5 and the Yankees would win via an 11th-inning Boone home run to knock out Boston, ultimately losing to the Marlins in the World Series.

The decision that drew heavy criticism was keeping Martinez in at 115 pitches with one batter on and left-handed slugger Hideki Matsui up, five outs from advancing to the World Series. The score was 5-3. Little could have called on lefty Alan Embree. Instead, Matsui hit a double and Jorge Posada doubled to score two more. The rest, as they say, was history.

Little was fired less than two weeks later, though the Red Sox say his insistence on a multi-year deal played a factor.

Related Posts

🚨 TRADE MOVE: The Boston Red Sox have reportedly traded a struggling right-hander and a prospect to the Chicago White Sox, signaling a shift in their roster strategy. Could this move help the Sox get back on track, or is it just a move to free up space for future acquisitions?

Red Sox Swing 12th Trade of the Offseason, Clear Salary and Add Gage Ziehl in Prospect Swap with White Sox The Boston Red Sox have made their…

🚨 MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT: Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman has announced his retirement plan, signaling the end of an iconic career in Major League Baseball. As one of the greatest hitters of his generation, Freeman’s decision marks the beginning of the end for a Hall of Fame-worthy career. What’s next for the Dodgers and the MLB legend?

Freddie Freeman Announces Plan to Retire from MLB in 2030 Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, a beloved figure in the Dodgers’ clubhouse, has revealed his…

🚨 RED SOX MISSTEP: In a stunning turn of events, the Red Sox appear to have made a big $15 million mistake involving Eugenio Suarez, according to conflicting reports from around the league. Instead of bolstering Boston’s infield and power potential, critics now argue this investment may backfire—potentially leaving the Sox short on value and hurting flexibility in 2026.

Red Sox’s $15 Million Mistake: Missing Out on Eugenio Suarez Could Haunt Boston’s Infield Plans The Boston Red Sox entered this offseason with one glaring need: filling…

🚨 HIDDEN GEM ALERT: The Boston Red Sox may have found a hidden gem in the Jordan Hicks trade, according to experts. This move could turn out to be one of the most underrated acquisitions of the offseason—how does Hicks fit into the Red Sox’s plans for 2026, and what does this mean for their pitching staff?

Red Sox Find Hidden Gem in Jordan Hicks Trade: What to Expect from Gage Ziehl The Boston Red Sox made waves with their recent trade with the…

🚨 TRADE RUMORS: The New York Yankees are reportedly interested in signing a veteran outfielder, sparking excitement among fans as the offseason heats up. Could this experienced addition help the Yankees push deeper into the postseason, or is this move just part of their broader strategy for 2026?

New York Yankees Rumors: Team Interested in Veteran Outfielder Randal Grichuk As spring training rapidly approaches, the New York Yankees are exploring potential additions to their roster,…

🚨 TRADE PROPOSAL: A new Cubs trade idea has emerged, showing exactly what it would take to land Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers. This potential move could bolster Chicago’s rotation, but would it be worth the cost? Fans are buzzing about whether the Cubs will make the move—what could this mean for their pitching staff in 2026?

Chicago Cubs Consider Trade for Tarik Skubal: What It Would Take to Land the Detroit Tigers Ace The Chicago Cubs are on a mission this offseason, aiming…