Remember that awesome moment at Yankee Stadium in 2011 when Derek Jeter launched his 3,000th Major League hit into the centerfield stands for one of the most iconic home runs in team history?
The ballclub often lauded for its class was intent on making sure another superstar wouldn’t get the chance for a similar moment.
In front of a packed Comerica Park crowd, and with Miguel Cabrera coming up to bat in the eighth inning looking for his 3,000th hit, Yankees manager Aaron Boone pulled the type of move New York fans would never forgive if it happened to them: Boone intentionally walked Miggy.
#LetMiggyHit #Tigers #DetroitRoots #Yankees
— BetFTW (@Bet_ForTheWin) April 21, 2022
The incredulous silence on the Tigers’ broadcast says it all.
Without context, the decision is understandable. First was open, there were two outs and loading the bases could help New York get out of the inning in a one-run game.
With context, yikes, that’s a bad look.
Boone is trying to do his job and win a game, but the Tigers are very much in a rebuilding year and Miggy’s milestone was one of the few reasons for fans to get out to the park on a Thursday in April. And you better believe they let Boone know what they thought of his decision.
Yankees suck chants at Comerica after the IBB to Miguel Cabrera with him having a chance for 3,000. pic.twitter.com/bZETVC5PD1
— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) April 21, 2022
"Yankees suck!" chants broke out at Comerica Park after Aaron Boone decided to intentionally walk Miguel Cabrera
(via @ByAZuniga)pic.twitter.com/9u1jHIdwzb
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 21, 2022
After getting intentionally walked, Miggy calms down the fans. 👀 pic.twitter.com/1FAgQYg18l
— Cut4 (@Cut4) April 21, 2022
There is currently a warrant out for Aaron Boone’s arrest in Detroit
— Paul Morisette (@paulmorisette) April 21, 2022
Detroit will never forgive Aaron Boone. I know I certainly won't.
— Pink Cade-illacs (@haikudetroit) April 21, 2022
*every baseball fan ready to witness history*
Aaron Boone: pic.twitter.com/orrPzMukcq
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 21, 2022
I'm not big on baseball’s unwritten rules or whatever but there has to be one that Aaron Boone just violated about intentionally walking a guy sitting on 2,999 hits, right? That moment was bigger than this game & to think otherwise is lame.
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) April 21, 2022
Wow! Aaron Boone. Terrible,Terrible, Terrible. Utterly disgraceful
— Matthew Sulkowicz (@mattysulk) April 21, 2022
As called on Tigers radio: pic.twitter.com/O6zrusWfQ7
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) April 21, 2022
Miguel Cabrera said he's not mad he got intentionally walked.
"No, my on-base percentage went up."
— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) April 21, 2022
There are certainly a lot more reactions on social media and the vast majority are not safe for work.
Now, did Miggy already have three chances at the plate on Thursday? Sure. Did he go 0-for-3? Yes. Does that matter here? Absolutely not. And the Yankees should’ve just pitched to him.
Instead, they opted to face lefty Austin Meadows, who promptly made Boone pay for his decision.
Hey Siri, define karma. pic.twitter.com/uU7057jlYD
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) April 21, 2022
Boone is just lucky the Tigers have another series at home beginning on Friday. He might still be booed in Detroit forever after pulling this move on Thursday.
At least the Tigers won, 3-0.
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