After a decisive 4-0 win against the Red Sox, Giancarlo Stanton had the chance to share some insights. He humorously talked about a “basophageal play,” remarking how important it is for kids to always hustle, regardless of the situation.
“Honestly, I only wondered if it was a homer the moment I hit it,” Stanton mentioned to the YES Network. “I appreciate my teammates’ resilience, especially Kam (Schlitler) for keeping the vibes intact.”
He cautioned young fans not to repeat his mistakes. “Kids at home, don’t do that. Future opponents, well, it’s a bonehead play, but I’m glad it worked out for us and won’t happen again,” he said.
Although it didn’t affect the game’s outcome, Stanton had some memorable moments that mixed feelings of hope, disappointment, and even laughter. He launched a powerful hit, clocking in at 114.5 mph, that soared towards the gap in left center.
As he rounded the bases, he reminisced about old Yankees radio calls, believing he had just executed a “Stantonia Explosion.” However, reality struck as he realized the ball had ricocheted off the wall. Caught off guard, he had to kick it into gear to avoid being tagged out.
His teammates in the dugout couldn’t help but chuckle at the situation after he narrowly avoided being out. “It’s a good reminder; mistakes happen, but it could’ve changed everything,” Stanton reflected during the post-game celebration.
Eventually, Stanton contributed significantly as the Yankees made their move against a Boston rookie. They scored the first run of the game thanks to a series of hits, including a single that pushed across two runs, thanks to a botched play by the Red Sox.
Stanton ended the game with one hit in three at-bats, along with a run scored. “It’s all about having solid at-bats and not forcing it too much,” he noted. “I felt everyone was great when it mattered, and I focused on the ball instead of swinging too hard.”
Looking ahead, the Yankees are set to face Toronto for Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday, both teams finishing with identical records at 94-68. However, the Yankees fell short in the tiebreaker.
Interestingly, the Red Sox won their head-to-head matchups this season, taking nine out of thirteen games but were eliminated in the Wild Card Series.
Now the Yankees are eager to turn the tables on Toronto. “It’s not about past records. It’s all about minimizing errors and playing smart baseball. We’ve got to get after them,” Stanton asserted.
