Fox afterward showed the dropped fly ball by New York centerfielder Aaron Judge, another error by shortstop Anthony Volpe and the failure of pitcher Gerrit Cole to cover first base, contributing to 5 unearned runs by the Los Angeles Dodgers to tie the game at 5-5. The Dodgers eventually won, 7-6, to win the series 4-1 and claim their eighth title.
“This is one of the greatest meltdowns that I’ve ever seen in 40 years,” Rodriguez said on Fox’s postgame show.
Jeter struck a more subtle critical tone.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever quite seen an inning like this,” Jeter said. “Especially in a World Series or postseason game. The Yankees made some mistakes. You can’t make mistakes against a team like the Los Angeles Dodgers. That particular inning, you gave them six outs.”
Translated perhaps: “This didn’t happen on our watch.”
Both Jeter and Rodriguez were members of the last Yankees team to win the World Series, in 2009. Jeter, one of the most beloved former Bronx Bombers, won additional championships in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000.
