- Stephen A. Smith’s Recent Error
Stephen A. Smith made a notable error regarding the New York Yankees during a recent episode of First Take. While discussing Aaron Judge’s pursuit of 60 home runs and Shohei Ohtani’s historic season, Smith incorrectly stated that Juan Soto’s presence behind Judge in the lineup was aiding Judge’s success. - Smith’s Misunderstanding
Smith claimed that Soto batting behind Judge meant that pitchers had no choice but to pitch to Judge, assuming Soto’s position in the lineup was providing Judge with protection. This was meant to highlight Soto’s influence on Judge’s performance. - The Actual Lineup Order
Contrary to Smith’s assertion, Juan Soto bats in front of Aaron Judge in the Yankees’ lineup. Soto has batted second in all of his 130 starts this season, while Judge has batted third in all of his 132 starts. This means Soto’s position in the lineup does not directly impact how pitchers approach Judge. - Smith’s On-Air Mistake
Smith’s incorrect statement was made on First Take in the context of discussing Judge’s impressive home run chase and the overall Yankees’ performance. His error went unnoticed by many, including fellow panelist Christopher ‘Mad Dog’ Russo, who appeared to restrain from correcting him. - Previous Mistakes by Smith
This gaffe is not isolated. Smith has previously made mistakes, such as forgetting Quentin Grimes was no longer with the Knicks, overlooking Hank Steinbrenner’s death, and mistakenly commenting on Hunter Henry’s participation despite him being on the PUP list. - Smith’s Track Record
Despite these errors, Smith’s overall career and his prolific output of takes on ESPN have contributed to his reputation. His track record includes both notable successes and occasional slip-ups. - The Nature of Lineup Protection
Smith’s argument relied on the concept of lineup protection, where a strong hitter behind another can influence how pitchers approach the leading hitter. However, this only applies if the protected hitter is actually in the lineup behind them, which is not the case here. - Impact of Lineup Order on Performance
The lineup order can impact a player’s performance indirectly. However, in this case, Judge’s impressive performance stands on its own merits, with Soto batting ahead of him and not behind. - Easy Fact-Checking
The error could have been easily avoided. Smith could have checked any Yankees lineup from this season to confirm Soto’s position before presenting his theory on national television. This would have clarified the actual relationship between the two players. - The Role of Public Correction
Public figures like Smith often face scrutiny for such errors. While he has made many correct and insightful observations, mistakes like this can overshadow his credibility and lead to criticism from viewers and analysts alike. - Evaluating Smith’s Analysis
Smith’s analysis was meant to showcase the dynamics of lineup protection and its effect on a star player’s performance. However, incorrect information undermines the validity of such discussions, affecting the accuracy of sports commentary. - Conclusion on the Gaffe
Smith’s error regarding Soto and Judge is a reminder of the importance of accuracy in sports analysis. While such mistakes are part of a broader track record, they highlight the need for thorough research and fact-checking before making public statements.
