The recent series between the Yankees and Rays has taken an unexpected turn on Monday, with a focus on the post-home run trots of players from both teams. The saga began during Sunday’s game, which the Rays won 6-4, when Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena took a notably leisurely pace around the bases after his home run in the fourth inning. In response, Aaron Judge of the Yankees took 31 seconds to complete his home run trot following his three-run blast later in the same game, effectively answering the provocation.
The tension continued into Monday’s game when Rays’ center fielder Jose Siri hit a home run off Yankees starter Carlos Rodon in the top of the fifth inning. Siri’s celebration was particularly pointed, as he made a gesture with his hands, seemingly acknowledging the boos from the Yankee Stadium crowd, before touching home plate.
The YES Network cameras captured Aaron Judge’s reaction to Siri’s display, showing the Yankees’ star maintaining an unwavering gaze at Siri without any visible change in expression.
Yankees play-by-play announcer Michael Kay commented on the situation, expressing disapproval of the Rays’ celebrations. Kay pointed out that the Rays were still trailing in the game despite the home run, suggesting that such exuberant celebrations were inappropriate given the game’s context. He likened the atmosphere in the Rays’ dugout to that of Mardi Gras, implying that their behavior was excessive considering they were behind on the scoreboard.
“You’re losing! Celebrate when you’re winning,” Kay said. “They’re acting like it’s Mardi Gras in that dugout. You’re losing the game!”
This series of events has added a new dimension to the rivalry between the Yankees and Rays, with the focus shifting from just the game itself to the manner in which players celebrate their achievements on the field.
Yankees’ Judge throws down the gauntlet
The recent four-game series between the Yankees and Rays was marked by an extraordinary display of power hitting, with the teams collectively launching 16 home runs over approximately 11 hours of play. This home run barrage resulted in a series of three lopsided games and brought attention to the varying styles of home run trots, particularly those of Randy Arozarena, Jose Siri, and Juan Soto.
The players’ and coaches’ reactions to these celebratory trots were diverse but generally fell into two categories: either dismissing them as inconsequential or acknowledging the hitter’s achievement. However, some observers questioned whether these displays might provoke retaliation, such as brushback pitches, though no such incidents occurred in response to Arozarena’s three homers or the two each from Siri and Soto.
While overt retaliation was absent, there were instances of subtle disapproval. Aaron Judge, the major league home run leader, seemed to make a statement with his 35th homer of the season. Following Arozarena’s 33.4-second trot and Siri’s 32.6-second stroll, Judge took 31.4 seconds to round the bases, significantly longer than his usual 24.3-second average. During his trot, Judge notably glanced towards center field, appearing to communicate his disapproval to Siri.
Siri homered again in Monday’s game, which the Yankees won 9-1. Despite the Rays trailing, Siri’s trot clocked in at 30 seconds. Upon reaching home plate, he was met with loud boos from the crowd, a notable reaction given Siri’s .202 batting average. When asked about the incident, Siri, speaking through a translator, described his actions as normal, stating that he was simply trying to have fun with his teammates in the dugout.
“That was normal,” Siri said. “I was just trying to have fun with my teammates in the dugout, and that’s just what happened.”
As Siri crossed home plate, television cameras captured Judge giving him another disapproving look. Interestingly, Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon had a markedly different reaction to Siri’s home run. His apparent lack of concern may have been due to it being one of only two hits he allowed in seven innings, a significant improvement following a stretch where he had posted a 9.37 ERA over his previous six outings.
Yankees’ Soto takes the revenge in trot showdown
In the context of the Yankees’ recent struggles, which include a 10-20 record in their last 30 games and conceding 51 home runs in the 29 games preceding Siri’s slower trot, the celebratory displays seemed somewhat out of place.
However, the Yankees found their own moment of celebration when Juan Soto connected with a pitch in the seventh inning. Soto’s powerful hit reached the third deck of Yankee Stadium, a level that isn’t the uppermost tier but rather a suite level situated just below the highest section of the ballpark.
Soto’s home run, measuring 424 feet to right field, gave the home team a sense of vindication. Interestingly, the 25-year-old slugger took an uncharacteristically slow pace around the bases, seemingly preserving his hamstrings more than usual during his home run trot.
This particular home run trot by Soto turned out to be the longest recorded in baseball this season. As he began his journey around the bases, Soto watched the ball’s trajectory intently, turning his head to ensure it would stay fair. This action drew a contrast to the famous moment in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series when Carlton Fisk frantically waved his arms, trying to will his hit to stay fair.
Soto’s extended trot and the dramatic nature of his home run added another layer to the ongoing saga of celebratory displays in this series between the Yankees and the Rays. It also provided a moment of jubilation for the Yankees in what has otherwise been a challenging stretch of games for the team.
The Yankees slugger addressed the controversy surrounding Jose Siri’s 30-second home run trot, as reported by SNY. When asked about his own 37-second trot in the seventh inning, which some viewed as a response to Siri’s actions, Soto offered two possible explanations.
Soto claimed he was primarily focused on ensuring his hit stayed fair, stating that he was putting all his effort into willing the ball to remain in play. He likened his intense focus to Carlton Fisk’s famous actions in the 1975 World Series. Additionally, Soto cited the hot weather and the physically demanding nature of the game as reasons for his slower pace, suggesting he was trying to preserve his hamstrings by taking it easy around the bases.
“I don’t know what he was doing, I was just trying to make sure it was a fair ball,” the Yankees outfielder said. “I was literally pulling with everything that I have to stay fair. So definitely, it was fun to see it and definitely got the homer. You know, hot weather. Tough day. Tried to save the hammies and make sure I go nice and easy.”
In contrast, Siri had earlier dismissed the controversy surrounding his own trot. He characterized his actions as a personal choice, acknowledging that while he couldn’t control others’ reactions, his celebration was simply his own way of expressing himself.
“That’s just what they do. You can’t control that,” Siri explained. “For me, it’s more of a personal thing. But for them, I don’t control that.”
Interestingly, Soto’s second home run of the game saw him complete the bases in a quicker 24.2 seconds. However, this time was still noted as being longer than an NBA shot clock violation.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone weighed in on the situation, acknowledging the changing norms in baseball. He indicated that he sometimes chooses to look away from such displays, recognizing them as part of the modern game. Boone emphasized that players will act as they see fit, and it’s up to each individual to handle themselves appropriately. He suggested that if a player takes issue with another’s celebrations, the best response is to prevent them from hitting home runs in the first place.
“It’s a new world. I look away sometimes. That’s part of it,” the Yankees manager commented. “Guys are going to do what they do. It’s on us, each individual, to handle themselves how you want. If somebody doesn’t like it, it’s on us to keep them in the ballpark.”
These comments from Soto, Siri, and Boone spice up the ongoing debate in baseball about celebration etiquette and how different players and teams approach this aspect of the game.
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