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The Toronto Blue Jays went viral for all the wrong reasons on Tuesday night during a matchup with AL East rival New York. While they came out victorious in the contest, things got off to an embarrassing start.
Toronto fell behind early thanks to a Jose Trevino RBI single in the top half of the second inning. That base knock allowed teammate Giancarlo Stanton, who was standing on second, to come around and score the first run of the game.
Stanton slid into home safely, avoiding a tag during a play at the plate.
This came despite the throw beating the baserunner, who was moving at a snail’s pace, by a literal mile. Check it out.
Giancarlo Stanton is simply too quick and agile pic.twitter.com/1JEVu63dZa
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 16, 2024
Somehow, he was ruled safe, which had to surprise everyone in the building, including Stanton himself.
It appeared the catcher bobbled the ball while attempting to make the tag, robbing his left fielder of an assist and spotting the Yankees a run and an early lead.
Viewers were stunned, and they reacted appropriately on social media.
“How the hell did he get around that tag?”
“Lowkey embarrassing to not throw him out there.”
“Dude is out there jogging. How’d they not get him?”
“Bro beat that throw with a piano on his back.”
It’s not the first time Giancarlo Stanton’s slow pace has been criticized. Late last season, he was involved in a similar play, though in that instance, the defense was able to successfully record the out at home plate.
Fortunately for Toronto, the Blue Jays would score the next five runs in this ballgame to leave with a 5-4 win against a division foe. Even with the win, they won’t be able to skirt the embarrassment of this hilariously bad relay attempt.