Yankees ace Gerrit Cole did not want to come out of Wednesday’s start vs the Rays. He rules.
When the Yankees got themselves Gerrit Cole, they got themselves so much more than just the best starter in the American League.
He’s a horse, he’s a tone-setter, and he’s got no interest in giving way to anyone — even Zack Britton, the AL saves leader.
With two outs and 109 pitches on his ledger, the top of the order was due up against Cole before the end of the seventh inning. Austin Meadows approached the plate seconds after Cole’s final fastball whizzed past his nemesis, Mike Zunino, and a lefty-lefty matchup seemed quite appealing.
Don’t tell that to Cole, though. Upon realizing that Boone was coming to get him, the Yankees’ ace whipped around with a reflexive F-bomb, and kept his aggression going on his way into the dugout.
Cole’s a strange bird — he even planned this freakout to a tee, seemingly knowing that Boone would be heading his way.
He was wizened enough to scream in frustration, go down the dugout steps to truly unleash the full fury of his temper, then reemerge in the dugout minutes later to watch Britton wriggle his way out of the mini-jam. He even dapped up his BFF, catcher Gary Sanchez.
This guy just gets it.
This is the second time this week we’ve had a starter go hog wild on Boone, though JA Happ’s apparent tirade happened behind closed doors, and this one made a lot more sense.
Every game Gerrit Cole starts is Gerrit Cole’s Game. He doesn’t plan on ceding control to anyone, let alone his direct superior, when he’s in the zone.
Unfortunately, the pitch count was climbing, and moves had to be made. Eventually, Cole will understand. For now, freakout mode engaged.
Yankees: Best free agent signings of the past decade
The New York Yankees have made some shrewd signings, as well as some strategic overpays, on the free agent market this decade.