Boone’s Decision

A lot of fans are upset with Aaron Boone’s decision to pull Clarke Schmidt after seven no-hit innings and 103 pitches this afternoon. On the surface, it’s easy to understand the frustration, as fans love witnessing history. But when you take a step back, Boone’s decision wasn’t just reasonable, it was the right one.

Schmidt, who began the season on the injured list with right shoulder tendinitis, has become a key part of the Yankees rotation and is currently riding a 25 1/3 inning scoreless streak. The Yankees are looking at the long haul, and Schmidt’s health is crucial to their postseason hopes. Risking that for a personal milestone in June doesn’t serve the team—or the pitcher.

I get it. Fans crave those rare, magical moments. I was there in person last July for Dylan Cease’s no-hitter in Washington. As it got later in the game, people around me were wondering if he’d be pulled. He wasn’t—he finished with 114 pitches, made history, and pitched well the rest of the regular season. But it’s worth noting: he wasn’t the same in the postseason. That might be coincidence. Or it might be cumulative fatigue catching up.

Two games especially come to mind when I think about the long-term risks of chasing history.

Al Leiter, April 14, 1989

A cold, overcast night in the Bronx. The Yankees were hosting the Twins, and 23-year-old Al Leiter was making just his 20th career start. Yankees manager Dallas Green left him in the game to throw a staggering 163 pitches(no typo). Leiter struck out 10 and walked 9 before being pulled in the ninth. That outing was supposed to build stamina, but many believe it derailed what could have been a superstar career. Leiter would spend years battling injuries, and that night is still remembered as a turning point.

Johan Santana, June 1, 2012

The Mets, after 50 years of waiting, finally got their first no-hitter. Santana threw 134 pitches to get it, just over a year removed from major shoulder surgery. That night was historic. But it came at a cost. He made only 10 more starts that season, never pitched again, and some believe that no-hitter shortened or ended his career. Manager Terry Collins later admitted he regretted leaving him in.

That’s the tension: these games can be unforgettable for fans, but unforgettable in more ways than one. Sometimes, the cost of history is too high.

Whether you think Schmidt should’ve gotten the chance or not, everyone’s entitled to their opinion. But in my view, Boone made the right call. Baseball is a team sport, not just a platform for individual achievement. I’m sure Clarke Schmidt understands that. There’s a bigger prize ahead,and preserving his health gives the Yankees a better shot at it.