Rays’ Ji-Man Choi trolls Yankees and Astros in post-game celebration

New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Ji-Man Choi
Oct 9, 2020; San Diego, California, USA; Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Ji-Man Choi (26) celebrates with teammates after defeating the New York Yankees in game five of the 2020 ALDS at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

The winner of the ALDS between the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays was always going to celebrate in fashion. The bad blood between the two teams stemmed from the regular season when closer Aroldis Chapman threw a fastball at the head of Michael Brosseau.

That intensity spilled over into the postseason, where both teams went head-to-head and ultimately watched the Rays emerge victorious in game five. Brosseau hit the go-ahead homer in the final innings, ironically off Chapman.

Following the game, the Rays blasted “New York, New York,” mocking the Yankees and their usual celebration song.

Tampa’s first baseman, Ji-Man Choi, hosting a cigar, trolled both the Yankees and their future opponents the Houston Astros.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past year, you would know that Houston was caught in the middle of a major cheating scandal.

They were found guilty of banging on garbage cans as a part of a sign-stealing scheme, which helped them win the 2017 World Series.

Choi and his teammates stomped on a recycling bin to replicate their opponent’s tactics, and hopefully what they will do to them in the ALCS. Despite the bad blood between the Yankees and Rays, I will be rooting for Tampa to beat Houston, as ever sane human should.

While Choi and the Rays stomped around and blasted “New York, New York” and “Empire State of Mind,” they won the series fair and square, and once again opened up old Yankee wounds that desperately need fixing this offseason.