Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes (15) tags out Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Manuel Margot (13) as he attempts to steal home during the fourth inning during game five of the 2020 World Series at Globe Life Field. Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Rays' Manuel Margot: Stealing home '100 percent my decision'

By Blake Harper | Last updated 10/26/20

Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Manny Margot took a huge risk by attempting (and failing) to steal home at the bottom of the fourth inning during Game 5 of the World Series. Margot took full responsibility for the decision, saying that he felt like he had a good chance of pulling off the play to tie the game at 3-3.

"It was 100 percent my decision," Margot said through an interpreter after the game. "I thought it was a good idea at the time. I had a pretty good chance of being safe. From the first pitch to KK [Kevin Kiermaier], I knew they weren't paying too much attention to me, so I thought I had a chance. Obviously, it didn't work out that way."

Manny Margot just got thrown out trying to steal home pic.twitter.com/C6UnTRj1LM
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 26, 2020

To Margot's credit, the throw was incredibly close, as he almost made it home safe before he was tagged out by catcher Austin Barnes. In fact, it was so close, Margot suggested that perhaps the Rays should have challenged him being called out.

"I thought I was really close," Margot said. "I really didn't know where they touched me. They didn't challenge."

The Rays ended up losing the game 4-2, giving the Dodgers a 3-2 series lead and putting them just one more win away from winning their first World Series since 1988. Meanwhile, the Rays will need to win two straight games in order to win their first World Series in franchise history. To pull that feat off, the team may need to take a few risks like Margot trying to steal home.

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