“This is hilarious, reminds me of Tom & Jerry”; “That was insane” - MLB fans react as Yankees turn rare double play against Nationals
The vast majority of double plays turned in MLB follow a similar pattern. A ball is hit to the middle infield, scooped by the shortstop or second baseman, and fired to first to turn two. However, on Wednesday, the Yankees deviated from that model in a bizarre, and somewhat hilarious fashion.
In the eighth inning of the Yankees' game against the Nationals in DC on Wednesday, Nats hitter Jose Tena clobbered a Luke Weaver pitch deep to center. After sailing over Aaron Judge's head, the Yankees outfielder fired the ball back. What ensued can only be described as organized chaos.
"Have you seen a 8-6-2-3-2-5-4 double play before? Now you have." - MLB
Judge's relay throw was cut off, and fired to home plate ahead of Washington Nationals runner Joey Gallo. This caused Gallo to find himself in a rundown, which eventually ended in a tag. After attempting to get the runner at second out, the ball eventually found its way back to first, where Jose Tena was tagged out.
The 8-6-2-3-2-5-4 double play sparked quite a reaction online. Although few could follow the movement of the ball between the several New York Yankees players, most onlookers agreed that what they witnessed was indeed something extraordinary.
"I thought the Little League season ended last weekend" - quipped a fan
"Mayhem!" - laughed another
"Imagine making it to the majors and then getting caught on the bases like that" - represented another pontification
Although the theatrics from New York were indeed something to behold, the Nationals won. Two RBIs from 2023 first rounder Dylan Crews was enough to preserve the Nats' lead. The Yankees will rest on Thursday before a weekend set against the St. Louis Cardinals.
"Unreal double play" - said a commenter
"Don't blink!" - joked another
"Oh my god no way" - came a final voice of amazement
Yankees manager laments loss despite miraculous double play
Their defeat at the hands of the Nats represented a series loss for the Yankees that most can agree that they should have won. Despite maintaing a one-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East, manager Aaron Boone was contrite, telling YES Network after the loss:
"Tough one, we gotta regroup on the off day and get ready to start a little quick three-day-er. But just one of those ones where we weren't able to finish off some rallies.”
The double play may have indeed been one of the slickest plays in MLB this season, but alas, no points are awarded in the standings for doing interesting things on the field.