Anthony Volpe, Yankees on wrong side of Jeffrey Maier 2.0 nearly 30 years to day of infamous play
Jeffrey Maier has the wrong kind of company in Yankees lore — nearly 30 years to the day.The then-12-year-old Maier is famously known for aiding a Derek Jeter fly ball to right field by reaching over Tony Tarasco’s glove and helping the ball clear the wall for what was ruled a game-tying homer in the bottom of the eighth inning of Game 1 of the 1996 ALCS on Oct.9 at the old Yankee Stadium.
The Yankees went on to win the game 5-4, the series 4-1, and eventually the World Series.History repeated itself, just in reverse, during the bottom of the sixth inning during Game 3 of the ALDS from The Bronx on Wednesday night as Anthony Volpe drilled a ball to left field.The blast was initially ruled a game-tying home run, but it did not stand, as MLB has the benefit of replay in 2026.A review showed the ball hit the outstretched hands of an adult fan in the field of play and rolled up his arms over the wall.The call was changed to fan interference, resulting in a double that allowed George Lombard Jr.
to score.It pulled the Yankees within 4-3 of the Rays in the elimination game that the Bombers would go on to lose by the same score.“After viewing all relevant angles, the Replay Official definitively determined the spectator interfered with the ball over the field of play,” MLB’s Replay Center said in a statement.
“The ball would not have left the playing field nor would it have been caught.The call is OVERTURNED, there was spectator interference and no home run.
Additionally, the Replay Official scored one run and placed the batter-runner at second.Fans were quick to make the connection between the two moments and had plenty of fun with it. “Yankees really got Jeffrey Mayer 2.0 out here smh,” X user @Peterson_IsKing wrote. Added @BuffaloAdam: “Almost 30 years to the day of the Jeffrey Maier game! (10/9/96).Guessing Tony Tarasco would have loved some replay that night.
““DO NOT REVERSE THIS CALL,” @brianwaters chimed in.“[Jeffrey] Maier interfe...