I think most of us get sick of the hype surrounding every series the Yankees and Red Sox play. Certainly, those two teams don't need any publicity from me. Nevertheless, I will give mention to a clever and unusual play that took place in a game between the two ESPN favorites last night.
With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury executed a rare straight steal of home plate. The swipe gave Boston a 3-1 lead, and it went on to a 4-1 victory over New York to complete a three-game series sweep.
This was a really alert play by Ellsbury. Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte was on the mound, taking his usual 500 hours between pitches, and got caught napping. He was working from the windup and seemingly had no idea what was going on.
When I saw this play, it occurred to me that this wasn't the first time someone had stolen home on Pettitte. Mike Sweeney (then of the Kansas City Royals) swiped home in this game played on August 14, 2002. The New York pitcher that day? Sure enough, it was Pettitte.
Sweeney, currently with the Seattle Mariners, has only 50 stolen bases in his 15-year career. That steal of home against Pettitte has to rank as the most memorable.
Next time Pettitte gets a runner on third, he should probably be a little more careful.
Actually, the last time someone stole home when Pettitte was on the mound was Aaron Hill of the Blue Jays couple of years ago. Hill stole home when Pettitte was ready to throw a pitch.