The Yankees' decision on Nestor Cortes in their Game 1 loss of the World Series isn't as outrageous as it seems

Aaron Boone Regardless of who came out of the bullpen Friday night, there would be doubts. This is the day-to-day life of the Yankees manager, where every decision is open to public debate, even more so when a replacement player can't figure out a key or gives up a rocket that ruins a game.

That's exactly what happened after Boone made his decision Nestor Cortes to pitch in the 10th inning of Game 1 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium. Shohei Ohtani (Gulp!) was waiting to strike and there were two runners on base and one out. Cortes retired Ohtani with a fly ball. But after the Yanks decided to leave on purpose Mookie BettsCortes allowed a walk-off grand slam Freddie Freeman.

Game 1 over. 6-3 Dodgers win.

It was the first walk-off Grand Slam in Fall Classic history Kirk GibsonA flashback to 1988 – a limping player hits a massive World Series home run – and an unimaginable punch in the gut for the Yankees, who barely managed to eke out a win in Los Angeles.

But while one can certainly wonder about Boone's choice of Cortes, was it really such an egregious move? The Yankees have been talking for ages about Cortes having real grit, the kind of moxie it takes to get out of a premier jam like this.

These days we live in a public climate where every time a substitute gets a bump, the reaction boils down to it being the manager's fault for bringing in that particular substitute at that particular time. The pitcher deserves the blame (most of the time), right? Just like they deserve the most credit when things are going well. Cortes was beaten by a future Hall of Famer. That's pretty much the whole story.

That doesn't mean that this is just about Cortes either. There were reasons why it came into play, and perhaps reasons why you should choose, for example: Tim Hill, instead, a superior groundball player. Let's think.

Here Boone first explains why he preferred Cortes at this point, even though Cortes hadn't played in a game since September 18th due to injury: “I just liked the match. The reality is he's been throwing the ball really well over the last few weeks as he prepares.

“I knew with one out there it would be hard to double Shohei with Tim Hill putting him on the floor and then Mookie being a tough opponent behind him. That’s why I felt confident in Nestor at this point.”

Before the match with Ohtani, Ohtani was only 2 of 12 against Cortes lifetime. Freeman had slightly more success against Cortes in a tiny sample size (1 for 3, one double). But Freeman also hit Hill: 3 for 7, including a home run. Ohtani was 1 of 4 against Hill.

Asked in the interview room in Los Angeles whether Cortes' history against Ohtani was the reason he liked Cortes there, Boone replied: “I mean, a little bit. I don’t know if you ever enjoy a match against Ohtani, but I felt like Nestor could give us a chance.”

Boone said he didn't think much about accompanying Betts to get to Freeman. “I’ll just accept the left-versus-left duel there,” said the manager.

Hill was also a sensible choice to go there instead of Cortes. After being released by the moribund White Sox and signed by the Yanks a few days later, Hill posted a 2.05 ERA in 35 regular season games. He also proved to be a reliable left-handed hitter in the postseason, allowing two runs (one earned) in 5.2 playoff innings in seven games.

Boone let Hill warm up while Cortes loosened up. It's always good to give your opponent several things to think about. And Boone wanted options, too: “I just wanted to make sure Nestor warmed up well, and then if it came to a two-out situation, I wanted to at least consider putting Timmy there.”

Still, it's not as if Hill is now an equal Randy Johnson, Steve Carlton or any other of history's overwhelming leftists. If Hill had come in instead of Cortes, the Yankees might be up 1-0 in the series, or maybe they'll still lose, and all the yellers will blame Boone for not putting Cortes in instead.

As Freeman's ball flew into the LA night, it was hard not to think what a great moment it was for Freeman and the Dodgers. Also baseball. But it may also have shown how difficult management is. Every step is full of pitfalls.

What if Aaron Richterperhaps the best hitter in the world, had come through behind the Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was intentionally run Juan Soto pitching in front of Judge in the ninth inning? Then Roberts is the one being questioned and Boone is the manager who comes out on top in the series.

The decision to go with someone ahead of a player like Judge “is never easy,” Roberts told reporters in the interview room. “I think the same thing could be asked of Boonie, accompanying Mookie to get to Freddie. It's never comfortable. You just have to believe in your process and the match you made right there.

“Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.”

On Friday, the decision to use Cortes didn't work for Boone and the Yankees and the result was a disheartening loss. What sticks longer, the debate about the decision or the pain of losing?