Defensive collapse of the Yankee Greats Blast team in heartbreaking loss in the World Series

The New York Yankees suffered one of their worst losses in recent memory on Wednesday, ending their hopes of winning their first World Series since 2009.

In Game 5 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Bronx Bombers got off to a fast start when Aaron Judge hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first, followed by a solo shot from Jazz Chisholm Jr. that led New York to the immediate lead 3-0 lead.

The Yankees appeared to be on cruise control from then on, as an RBI single by Alex Verdugo in the bottom of the second inning and a solo shot by Giancarlo Stanton in the bottom of the third inning gave them a 5-0 lead. With Gerrit Cole not allowing a single hit in the first four innings, a Game 6 in Los Angeles was almost certain.

Amazingly, however, the Yankees' defense imploded, completely killing the momentum.

A routine fly ball to center field was dropped by Judge, a throwing error to third base by Anthony Volpe and an error by Anthony Rizzo and Cole over who would cover first base for what would have been the last out of the inning opened the Door for the Dodgers to get back in the game.

Los Angeles scored five runs, all unearned, in the fifth inning and rallied in the eighth inning to surprise the Yankees and win the World Series 7-6.

New York's defensive collapse was blasted by former franchise greats Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen an inning like that, especially in a World Series or postseason game,” Jeter said after the game. “You can’t make mistakes against a team like the Los Angeles Dodgers, you gave them six outs in that inning.”

Rodriguez went further in his criticism of his former team's terrible loss at the Fall Classic.

“This is one of the biggest collapses I’ve ever seen in 40 years,” Rodriguez said.

Both Jeter and Rodriguez have been involved in baseball for some time, whether as a player, an analyst or, in Jeter's case, as an owner of a major league club. Therefore, their harsh criticism of this Yankees team cannot go unnoticed.

The way that game went, with their ace dominating for most of his outing and the offense getting off to a hot start, Game 6 on Friday looked like it was going to happen.

Instead, the Yankees' season is now over and there are many offseason questions looming.