Yes, we’re all capable of understanding that good decisions don’t always lead to good results.
And bad decisions don’t always lead to bad results.
This was a bad decision. You leave Matthews in…or you bring Sands in. If Sands gives up a 600 foot blast to the lefty, the game is tied, it’s the 5th inning, and you have a guy who has a good chance of getting the subsequent right handed batters out.
Duran is NOT going to win the game for Boston by hitting a game-tying home run in the 5th inning. A desperate and risky move is not warranted. And the move is VERY risky because of what Irvin is (or, more accurately, what he isn’t)…and because of the 3 batter rule.
If Sands sucks in that situation, you probably have a million people saying Rocco should have left Matthews in. But, I guarantee you not one sane person would be saying he should have put Irvin in (or Thielbar, either for that matter).