Facing Gerrit Cole at Yankee Stadium is difficult enough. Facing petty Gerrit Cole is an even more challenging prospect.
The Mariners saw Cole's pettiness on full display on Tuesday night, as the Yankees ace got the last laugh in an intense game.
Cole, not one to hide his emotions, first had a problem with Mariners second baseman Jose Caballero's antics in the batter's box. Even with the pitch clock in place, Caballero took his time getting in and out of the box, which led Cole to throw his head back in exasperation after the first pitch of the seventh inning at-bat.
Gerrit Cole was not a fan of Jose Caballero taking his time to step in the box pic.twitter.com/MUx4q2lmsO
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 21, 2023
After Caballero again took his time getting in the box, Cole seemingly intentionally sailed a ball way above Caballero's head all the way to the netting behind home plate.
"Sometimes the high fastball can be a really effective pitch...gotta change eye levels," Cole told reporters after the game while appearing to hold back a smile.
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Cole ultimately got Cabellero to strike out. The five-time all-star stared down the Mariners' dugout on his way off the field and started wagging his finger.
Gerrit Cole is a savage 🫵#YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/bd09q5xZGP
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) June 21, 2023
Cole told reporters after the game that his finger-wagging was directed at Seattle manager Scott Servais, claiming he was simply responding to a finger wag from Servais.
"Their manager had some choice words for me coming off the field," Cole said, adding, "That's the first time an opposing manager has wagged his finger at me."
Gerrit Cole said he was wagging his finger at Mariners manager Scott Servais, who apparently wagged his finger at Cole first. “That’s the first time an opposing manager has wagged his finger at me.”
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) June 21, 2023
That’s a tweet.
Cole's fire might be just what the Yankees need, as New York entered Tuesday's game on a four-game losing streak.
The Yankees have just two more games left against the Mariners this season. They will be played on Wednesday and Thursday, so Cole won't get another chance to show up Servais in 2023 — barring the unlikely possibility of the two meeting in the postseason.