New York Yankees Jon Heyman Yankees need to understand their identity after Austin Wells blunder — especially against Rays By Jon Heyman Published Oct. 4, 2026, 6:18 p.m. ET Yankees catcher Austin Wells #28 hits a double and is tagged out by Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero #13 at third base trying to stretch a double into a triple ending the eighth inning of Game 1. Charles Wenzelberg for New York Post ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The 2026 Yankees are a nice baseball team. But they are what they are, and they need to realize what they are.
That was one of Yankees catcher Austin Wells’ multiple mistakes on his memorable baserunning blunder in Game 1 (more mistakes below). Wells, who ranks in the bottom 16 percent for sprint speed, mistook himself for a fast guy.
And of course, we all know Wells also was trying to do way more than necessary when he was thrown out trying to stretch his bullet double into a triple with two outs in the eighth inning of the 1-0 Game 1 defeat to the Rays in the division series.
“Obviously, the risk was wrong,” Wells admitted afterward.
