The New York Yankees watch during their loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the baseball World Series on Oct. 30 in New York.Frank Franklin II/The Associated Press
The New York Yankees season ended in a comedy of errors that left them to pursue Juan Soto without a title glow.
Soto was the last player lingering in the dugout after Wednesday night’s 7-6 loss in World Series Game 5, watching the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after New York frittered away a five-run lead with a monumental meltdown that included three errors, a catcher’s interference call, a balk and a pitcher failing to cover first base.
He walked up a step on the first-base end, pointed to the sky, then followed his Yankees teammates to the clubhouse for perhaps the final time.
A free agent at 26, Soto is likely to command a contract of at least US$500-million. His market is likely limited to baseball’s big-market behemoths, the Yankees, Mets and Dodgers, along with perhaps the Blue Jays, Cubs, Giants, Padres, Phillies and Red Sox.
While the Yankees went an AL-best 94-68 and won the East after missing the playoffs in 2023, they self-destructed against the Dodgers and consigned themselves to a 15th straight season without a title. It’s the third-longest drought in franchise history, behind the first 20 seasons from 1903-22 and 17 from 1979-95.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone was shattered. The clubhouse remained closed to media for an extended period after the game while the manager and players exchanged thoughts on the season and ending, according to reliever Clay Holmes.
“This is going to sting forever,” Boone said.