James Cooper

Michael Kay with an interesting scoop that changes this entire story: Jazz didn’t steal to pad his stats. Aaron Boone told him to steal, because it wasn’t a blowout yet. The Yankees were up by 6 runs at the time, and so there was still a chance they’d have to use Bednar in the 9th. Kay: “Jazz walks to start the 8th inning.  As he's running down to first base, Boone shuts Jazz down, says he's not allowed to steal.  But then Boone sees that the Red Sox infield is playing behind Jazz.  So Boone yells to the Red Sox dugout, ‘No no no, you can't have it both ways.  You either hold him on and we won't run, or if you're gonna not hold him on, we are gonna run.’ Red Sox manager] Chad Tracy didn't react.  So the Red Sox first baseman still plays behind Jazz.  So Boone says, Go steal.  And Boone's reasoning is this: I am two batters away in the ninth inning from having to bring in David Bednar.  That run is important.  If you're gonna hold me on, then fine I won't run.  But you can't have it both ways.  I would not have Jazz steal if they were holding him on.  But I am not going to give up on a free run, which might stop me from bringing in Bednar."