Joe Maddon made one of the strangest managerial decisions in recent memory during an Angels vs. Rangers game, and it blew up on him fast. With the Angels already down 3-2 and the bases loaded, Maddon intentionally walked Corey Seager, giving up a free run. It wasn’t a numbers-based move. Maddon admitted it was emotional, saying he felt the moment called for it. The problem is, Seager hits better against left-handed pitchers, and Maddon’s new pitcher hadn’t allowed a run all season. The walk confused fans, the dugout, and even the runners, who weren’t sure if they should move.
It quickly got worse. The next batter hit a deep fly that scored another run, and then came the real mess. The pitcher was called for a balk, allowing a third run to score. Maddon argued with the umpire, repeatedly asking if the move was made to deceive the runner. The umpire stood firm that it was a balk by the book. Maddon barely said anything during the exchange, visibly frustrated.
The inning finally ended after a pop-up, but the damage was done. All three runners who were on base during the intentional walk scored. The pitcher looked shaken, and even Maddon admitted after the game that the move backfired. And while the Angels rallied later and won thanks to a home run from Shohei Ohtani, the weird decision stood out as a mistake. It felt more like a manager trying to make headlines than one trying to win a game.