In a moment of candid self-assessment, Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández admitted he had ‘nobody to blame but myself’ for the critical double play in the NLCS opener, emphasizing his immediate realization of the mistake despite the Dodgers’ eventual 2-1 victory.
The high-stakes intensity of playoff baseball often produces unforgettable moments, and Game 1 of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers was no exception. However, it wasn’t a heroic home run or a dazzling defensive gem that became the primary talking point; instead, it was a bizarre double play involving Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández that captivated and confused fans alike, quickly going viral across social media. In the aftermath, Hernández took immediate and unequivocal responsibility for his role, a testament to his character in a pressure-cooker environment.
The Play That Stopped Social Media
The fourth inning of Monday night’s game set the stage for the unusual sequence. Hernández had walked to start the inning and was positioned at third base with the bases loaded and one out. Max Muncy then hit a powerful drive that seemed destined for a grand slam, appearing to clear the center-field wall. However, Milwaukee’s Sal Frelick made a spectacular attempt, only for the ball to pop out of his glove, hit the top of the wall, and then be caught by him in the air for an out. This is where the confusion began.
The critical error stemmed from Hernández’s reaction. As the ball initially left Frelick’s glove, Hernández hesitated, thinking it was not a catch. When Frelick ultimately secured the ball, Hernández had not tagged up and headed home quickly enough. The ensuing plays unfolded rapidly:
- Sal Frelick caught the ball after it bounced off the wall.
- He threw to shortstop Joey Ortiz.
- Ortiz relayed the ball to catcher William Contreras, who forced Hernández out at the plate.
- Contreras then jogged to third base, forcing out Will Smith, who was on second base when the play began, completing an extremely rare 8-6-2 double play.
The sequence, especially Frelick’s reaction and the subsequent confusion on the base paths, immediately became a talking point online. Joey Ortiz noted that Frelick’s “pretty funny face” was “all over social media,” highlighting the instant virality of the incident, as reported by AP News.
Hernández’s Immediate Accountability: ‘Nobody to Blame But Myself’
The day after the game, Teoscar Hernández faced the media with an air of complete ownership. He confirmed he had watched the replay of the bizarre play only once. “I saw it once,” Hernández stated. “Once the play was over, I realized I just (messed) up. Just one of those things that you don’t have to see it over and over to realize that you made a mistake.” This candid admission underscored his self-awareness and readiness to take responsibility without excuses.
He elaborated on the mental block that occurred during the play, acknowledging that in hindsight, he knew what the correct action should have been. “It was one of those plays that, if you would have asked me two days ago what would you do in this situation, I would say as soon as the ball touched the glove, I would go,” Hernández explained. “But in the moment, I got blocked, I think, and there’s not an explanation. I just (messed) up. It’s that simple. There’s nobody to blame but myself. And it happens.” This level of accountability resonated widely, as detailed by The New York Times.
Even Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged Hernández’s immediate regret. Roberts described it as a “brain fart,” stating, “Teo knows the rule. I think right there he had just a little bit of a brain fart, appreciating that when it does hit the glove, you can tag (up) there. But then he tagged, did it correctly, then saw he didn’t catch it, (and) he went back. That was the mistake. But he owned it. And after that, there’s nothing else you can do about it.”
A Historical Anomaly: The 8-6-2 Double Play
The official scoring of the play further highlighted its unusual nature: Max Muncy grounded into a double play on a 404-foot drive that astonishingly never touched the ground. The Elias Sports Bureau, baseball’s official statistician, confirmed the rarity of the event. They reported that there had not been an 8-6-2 double play in the postseason over the last 35 years. Historical records for such specific official scoring details are not always clear going back further, but its absence in modern postseason play speaks volumes.
For context, the most recent 8-6-2 double play in the regular season occurred in April 2004, involving Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa hitting a ball to Cincinnati center fielder Ken Griffey Jr., though that particular play concluded with a tag at the plate. The uniqueness of Hernández’s situation in an NLCS game ensures its place in baseball lore.
Redemption in Game 2
While the Game 1 double play was a blip, the Dodgers ultimately secured a 2-1 victory. However, Hernández didn’t have to wait long for a chance at personal redemption. In Game 2 of the series, he swiftly moved past the previous night’s blunder by hitting a home run in the second inning, contributing to the Dodgers’ commanding 5-1 victory. This quick turnaround showcased his ability to compartmentalize and perform under pressure, proving that even in moments of error, a true professional finds a way to bounce back.
Teoscar Hernández’s forthrightness in taking blame for the bizarre NLCS double play serves as a powerful example of accountability in professional sports. Despite the immediate viral attention and the high stakes of playoff baseball, his focus remained on acknowledging his mistake and moving forward. This incident, while unusual, ultimately became a footnote in a successful Game 1 and was quickly overshadowed by his redeeming performance in Game 2, reinforcing his valuable contribution to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
