MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 8: Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees looks on before the start of the game against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on June 8, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Just before giving up three runs in the first inning, Yankees ace Gerrit Cole was unhappy that the game itself didn’t start on time.
Opening Day start times are more just a figure of speech, more than a physical entity Cole can rely on. At this point he ought to know that.
Considering the players introductions, first pitch ceremony and National Anthem, Opening Day at Yankee Stadium is special for fans and players alike. Cole, however, was aware of his first-inning struggles just last season. He wanted to change that in his first start against Boston, and perhaps a late start time played a role in what was a rough first inning on Opening Day.
Cole was visibly unhappy in the dugout, as the video above shows, and wanted the game to begin at its original start time. That did not occur.
Yankees: Gerrit Cole struggles early against Red Sox
Cole had an ERA over five against the Red Sox last season, a mark he’d like to change in 2022. His first inning stats were also a far cry from the rest of his overall statistics which aided him in a second-place AL Cy Young finish last year.
Yet, a quick two-run homer allowed to Gerrit Cole and a double shortly thereafter to Xander Bogaerts offered the Yankees ace some familiar struggles to start his campaign.
Hopefully for Cole, that changes. As for Opening Day start times — Cole might as well set his clock back 5-10 minutes. It’ll do him some good.