Josh Naylor's Son Saved The Yankees Season

The New York Yankees are in a 5-game BATTLE against a Cleveland Guardians squad full of rookies, AAA players and Jose Ramirez. Before Game 4 of the ALCS, baseball writers were ready to publish the obituaries of Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman for losing to a team with a payroll the equivalent of Giancarlo Stanton’s weekly direct deposit.

In order to avoid thorough embarrassment, Gerrit Cole was tasked with not only winning Game 4 but pitching enough innings as to save the bullpen arms for an inevitable Game 5 pitched entirely with relief pitchers.

110 PITCHES. 7 INNINGS. 4 DAYS REST. GERRIT COLE IS A FUCKING ACE pic.twitter.com/43R4EBgAAd

— 🎃 Gianni 🎃 (@YankeesWinPls_) October 17, 2022

He delivered.

Here’s a quick look at the night he had:

7 innings pitched
6 hits
2 earned runs
8 Ks
1 walk

This is the Ace the Yankees were promised when they signed Cole to a 9-year $324 million deal in 2020.

Fans seem to be under the impression that this signing has been a disappointment but the Yankees not winning a chip has less to do with Cole and more to do with their hitters turning every opposing pitcher into Nolan Ryan by constantly striking out.

Aaron Judge just broke the AL single-season homerun record and has 1 fucking hit in 16 at-bats in this ALCS.

Meanwhile, this was Cole’s 5th postseason start striking out 8+ batters which is a Yankees franchise record. Ace.

Not only did Gerrit Cole have a phenomenal career-defining performance but he also had a personally rewarding and inspiring interaction with Josh Naylor of the Guardians.

Looks like he’s telling Cole “you’re my son” while rocking a baby, then says “he’s my little fucking son” to his dugout lmao Josh Naylor rules pic.twitter.com/SDjlqCwLab

— Ben Porter (@Ben13Porter) October 17, 2022

Just a huge reveal halfway through the game. After Josh Naylor launched a Cole pitch into the bleachers, he rocked the baby to sleep while rounding the bases and announced to the world that Gerrit Cole was his son. A heartwarming moment between father and son. Baseball is such a magical poetic sport.

Naylor was so passionate, you almost forget that the Guardians were still down 2-3 and had a potential Game 5 to play the next day in which that type of energy miiiiight be reciprocated by a Yankees pitcher but none of that matters when you smash a postseason bomb AND get the chance to tell the world you are a proud father.

If the Yankees lose Game 5, it won’t be because of Gerrit Cole. He is carrying this team best he can. And against his own dad no less.