New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton gave his critics some ammunition during his team’s Monday matchup against the Baltimore Orioles.
The Orioles led the Yankees 1-0 in the top of the 6th inning at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Md.
Stanton was on first base with Yankees catcher Austin Wells at the plate. Wells hit a bloop single to right field.
Stanton had to hold up to ensure the ball went over the glove of Orioles shortstop Jordan Westburg. But the slow-rolling ball still gave Stanton plenty of time to make it to second base.
Spoiler alert: Stanton did not make it in time to prevent a force-out.
Giancarlo Stanton is a tough watch on the basepaths pic.twitter.com/G9iRN9h1ee
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 30, 2024
Fans on X clowned Stanton for his sluggish baserunning. Some even compared him to an actual slug.
Giancarlo Stanton trying to run pic.twitter.com/bFaUirRShy
— Evil Empire (@octoberstanton) April 30, 2024
Giancarlo Stanton when you ask him to run 90 ft pic.twitter.com/H472sGary0
— pardo🧸 (@Hardpard) April 30, 2024
Stanton trying to leg out infield hits pic.twitter.com/JspQpL2OeP
— joe (@BurdenBurner) April 30, 2024
Stanton running the bases pic.twitter.com/qYj1nVsbgF
— Rich (@RAKcity27) April 30, 2024
It’s hardly the first time the Yankees’ designated hitter has gone viral on social media for his brutal baserunning. A clip of Stanton made the rounds last season of him trying — and failing — to score from second base on a two-out single (video here).
There was optimism before the 2024 campaign that Stanton would look more spry this season given his slimmed-down physique during spring training. But the injuries Stanton has dealt with over the years may have become too much for the 5-time All-Star to overcome at this point in his career.
