Yankees World Series champion perfectly sums up Aaron Boone's Game 1 miscues

Game 1 of the World Series was an instant classic, but only because the New York Yankees fumbled multiple opportunities consecutively to doom themselves. First of all, two defensive miscues allowed the Los Angeles Dodgers to get their first two runs on the board. Then, of course, there were 11 men left on base as the team went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

But as we know, October baseball is a different beast. The stakes are higher, and not everybody is going to come through. In such a tight game, teams just can't have their situation hitting, defense and manager holding them back all at once.

Aaron Boone has felt like the simple scapegoat Friday night and Saturday morning, and we could certainly point to the fact he shouldn't have even been in such a precarious situation if his players just executed. But a manager's job is to manage, regardless of the situation. Managers are not frequently given the opportunity to follow their most sweat-free rubric in the playoffs. Navigating is required.

So when Boone failed on three separate occasions that featured big-time decisions, the call to Nestor Cortes in extras was the straw that broke the camel's back. How could you do that after the two previous calls doomed your team?

Former Yankees World Series champions Jeff Nelson and Derek Jeter laid out that argument articulately when analyzing the aftermath of New York's 6-3 loss on Friday night.

Jeff Nelson, Derek Jeter criticize Aaron Boone's decisions for Yankees in World Series Game 1

Taking out Gerrit Cole was the first misstep. Your ace was on the mound in the sixth inning at just 88 pitches when he allowed a leadoff single to Teoscar Hernandez. He had just gotten out of a jam the inning prior after giving up a leadoff double to Tommy Edman. There was no reason for the quick hook, but Boone took out Cole and went to ... his worst possible option. Clay Holmes, who cannot handle pitching with a one-run lead, nearly gave everyone a heart attack. These situations haven't worked out for the team in months.

Though Holmes tecnhically bridged the gap to Tommy Kahnle, he couldn't finish the inning and was out of the game after just five pitches. Had he not hit Max Muncy with a pitch, the Yankees don't have to feel implored to go to Kahnle. Just like that, the Yankees used their cruising starter and two high-leverage relievers in the span of two outs.

Cole was dominating the Dodgers and putting up one of his best starts of the season. Boone took out the best pitcher on his staff prematurely and the Yankees ended up using five more pitchers before the night ended in a horrific loss. Jeter sounded very concerned about the bullpen already being overused in a situation that didn't necessarily call for it.

And as Nelson pointed out, pinch-running Jasson Dominguez for Gleyber Torres in the top of the ninth was another head-scratching decision. Fans know Torres isn't exactly a burner, but he was on second base with Aaron Judge coming up after the Dodgers intentionally walked Juan Soto. Was that slight upgrade in speed worth a considerable defensive switch with Oswaldo Cabrera having to take over at second base? Turns out, it was, and a tough play Torres usually makes slipped under Cabrera's glove in the bottom of the 10th. It was ruled an infield single, and we wouldn't necessarily disagree, but if Torres does one thing with consistency, it's dazzle on defense when you least expect him to. He has a penchant for snagging hot shots on his backside and turning two efficiently. Edman's grounder, instead of being a double play (or at least one out), opened the floodgates.

Boone went to Cortes to face Shohei Ohtani instead of Tim Hill. Cortes got Ohtani to pop out on an incredible play by Alex Verdugo. Then Boone intentionally walked Mookie Betts (who was 0-for-3) to face Freeman, leaving Cortes no room for error with the bases loaded.

Freeman clocked a grand slam. Night over. A game the Yankees were on track to steal was given right back to the opposition, providing LA with momentum for the ages. Sounds a lot like what the Yankees have done in the postseason for a long time now. Hopefully the difference this year is that they can forget about it and rebound, much like they did against the Guardians after Game 3 of the ALCS.