How Clarke Schmidt can change Yankees’ World Series fortunes in Game 3: David Cone

· New York Post

The last Yankees pitcher to take the mound in the World Series facing a 2-0 series deficit will be back at Yankee Stadium on Monday night, this time as a fan, and David Cone knows what Clarke Schmidt will face when he goes up against the Dodgers after a pair of losses in Los Angeles.

Cone got the start in Game 3 of the 1996 World Series in Atlanta following two straight lopsided defeats at the hands of the Braves and most fans wondering if the Yankees would win a game, let alone the series.

David Cone helped the Yankees to a Game 3 win in 1996. New York Post

“It was a little different for us because we were thoroughly embarrassed in the first two games,’’ Cone said by phone Monday. “We were feeling we needed to get our pride back a little bit, so we had plenty of motivation there.”

Cone allowed just one run over six innings on that October night.

The Yankees took a 1-0 lead in the first when Bernie Williams drove in Derek Jeter and then added a run in the fourth to go up by two runs before Cone allowed his lone run in the sixth on his way to a 5-2 victory, their first of four straight wins to capture the World Series.

“My mindset was just to avoid the big inning early and give us a chance to get a lead,” Cone said. “Normal thoughts you have every game, but you realize every pitch is much more magnified. How you handle that kind of pressure is something you have to experience to appreciate. Once you get out there, you understand what it’s all about.”

Cone was also a veteran pitcher who had won a World Series with the Blue Jays in 1992 and pitched in the NLCS with the Mets in 1988.

Can Clarke Schmidt be the 2024 David Cone? Jason Szenes / New York Post

Schmidt will be starting just his third postseason game after solid, if unspectacular, outings in the ALDS against the Royals and the ALCS versus Cleveland.

“Managing your emotions is such a big part of it and that can’t be measured,’’ Cone said of the challenge of pitching in that spot. “On the mound, can you control your body when your heart rate is elevated? He’s a very confident pitcher coming off a really good year and he’s healthy. So, he should be able to execute his pitches.”

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Schmidt’s fearless attitude should help.

“His confidence will play big,’’ Cone said. “He’s been confident his entire career, going back to college. There’s a reason why he was a first -ound pick by the Yankees. He was a Friday night pitcher and he’s been in big spots — but there’s nothing like a World Series. He’s as ready as he can be. Now it’s up to him.”