Yankees ace Gerrit Cole seems unfazed by Joe Kelly’s repeated jabs over his costly World Series mistake – though he admits he doesn’t quite understand the obsession

The latest dig from Kelly, currently a free agent, came during an appearance on the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast, where he mocked Cole’s failure to cover first base in Game 5 of last year’s World Series.

“Knox’s 9-year-old travel team … every single one of them, kids who pitch one inning a week, bro, know how to get over [to first],” Kelly said on the podcast. “They’re nine. And not one of them forgets to get over.”

Kelly didn’t stop there…

“I know who does forget. It’s not the 9-year-old ZT Prospects. I wonder how ground balls are going [for the Yankees] this spring,” he said.

When asked about Kelly’s comments by NJ Advance Media’s Bob Klapisch, Cole didn’t seem particularly concerned.

“I don’t know him at all,” Cole said. “I don’t really know what he said, but I don’t mind. It’s hard for me to (react) with anything of substance, other than I’m really focused on this season.”

The play in question came during the Yankees’ disastrous fifth inning in Game 5, when Cole failed to cover first base on a routine grounder.

New York had built a commanding five-run lead but ultimately collapsed, allowing the Dodgers to take control and clinch the championship in the Bronx.

Cole has never shied away from accountability, and he owned the mistake when asked about it.

“It wasn’t for a lack of effort, I just misplayed the ball,” he said. “I didn’t get off in a position to get over to first base. It was just a mistake.”

Despite Kelly’s repeated barbs, Cole is looking forward, not backward, and hopes for another shot at Los Angeles in October.

“The reality is that we didn’t give ourselves a chance to overcome certain aspects (of the Dodgers’ dominance). Like, Kiké (Hernandez) consistently delivering at the plate, same for Mookie.

“And Freddie Freeman had the World Series of a lifetime. I mean, he had no home runs in the postseason up to that point, then hits four home runs against us.”

Although he’s currently a free agent, Kelly is far from the only member of the 2024 World Series champs who have criticized Cole and the Yankees.

What are your thoughts on the non-stop trash talk coming from LA?

I know Yankees fans are dying to forget about Game 5, but I have to ask: Do you put more blame on Cole or Anthony Rizzo for that infamous play???