Who says baseball isn't exciting anymore?
Fresh off a thrilling end to Saturday's Game 4 of the World Series, Rays left fielder Manuel Margot decided to make things even more chaotic in Game 5. With two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Hunter Renfroe on first base and Kevin Kiermaier at bat with a 1-1 count, Margot broke early and attempted to steal home.
Alert to the situation, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw stepped off the rubber and threw home to catcher Will Smith, who tagged Margot just in time to get the out.
😱Margot just tried to steal home and is called OUT!
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 26, 2020
Do you agree? pic.twitter.com/IaXyQLIWRA
There's no telling why Margot chose to steal in that situation. Kiermaier came into the game 4 for 14 (.286) in the World Series with three RBIs and three runs scored. Margot had already stolen second and advanced to third on an errant throw after drawing a leadoff walk. With the left-handed Kershaw pitching with his back to Margot, maybe the Rays speedster thought he could sneak by him.
Margot is the first player to attempt to steal home in the World Series since Brad Fullmer successfully did so in 2002 with the Angels on a double steal. Margot is the first player to be caught stealing home in the World Series since Shane Mack with the Twins in 1991.
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One thing is for sure: it was an exciting play. That's something baseball could use a lot more of these days.
All of your "Rays are bad for baseball" takes are officially irrelevant. They just tried a straight steal of home in the World Series. Nothing else matters.
— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) October 26, 2020