One of the most infamous coaching decisions in sports history was more like a series of compounding decisions: Late in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS, Grady Little decided to keep his starter, Pedro Martinez, in the game pitching against the New York Yankees.
Pedro Martinez pitching deep into an ALCS collapse was a big deal
Sorry, Boston, but we’re diving in.
Even when some Yankees got on base, Little stuck with his guy.
Even when the Yankees chipped away at Boston’s lead, Little stuck with his guy. In the end, Little’s decision(s) would doom Pedro, doom the ‘03 Red Sox, and doom his own career as their manager. It was a big, big deal. It also could have gone very differently with just a bit of luck.
Let’s take a look.
