Marcus Semien, one of the Ranger’s big free agent splashes in recent years, put an exclamation point on Texas’ first-ever World Series title on Wednesday night, blasting a two-run home run in the top of the ninth to make it a 5-0 game in game five.
Semien’s game five heroics capped off a season in which he played every game for the Rangers, dating back to Opening Day, serving as a blueprint for the Yankees that Keith says should be followed.
“It just makes you think…even the Braves, they played the same position every day…we have 27 outs, go play,” Keith said. “Meanwhile, the Yankees try to reinvent the wheel and say ‘We’re gonna get ahead of this. We’re gonna rest these guys no matter what.’
“What are you resting guys for? What are you scheduling rest for, October? There’s not gonna be an October...geniuses. just look at what everyone else is doing in baseball. They let guys get into a rhythm, into a flow. Don’t you hate when a guy has a 2-for-4 day, gets into a rhythm, and he’s sitting the next day? The Yankees do that more than anybody.”
Aaron Boone and the Yankees have prioritized rest for their stars like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, who each have their share of injuries. But Keith says the Rangers did it the right way, had the right mindset of showing up to work every day, and it resulted in a banner that will be hung at Globe Life Opening Day next year.
“Congrats to a team that went for it and improved their team at every single turn,” Keith said. “Winter meetings, trade deadline the last two years. They hired the right manager and the right GM, and they’re the champions of baseball.”