VOLPE HAD HIS MOMENT & THE YANKEES STILL LOST

Maybe I’m getting old. Maybe I’ve watched too many Yankees teams that actually finished the job.

But can we please stop celebrating every little moment like we just won Game 7 of the World Series?

The Yankees lost to the Twins Wednesday, 5-4, in 13 innings. They had chances. Lots of them. Anthony Volpe delivered a two-out, two-run double to tie the game. The Yankees took leads in both the 10th and 11th. Then they loaded the bases with nobody out in the 12th and somehow scored nobody. Minnesota eventually walked it off in the 13th.

Yet watching Yankees social media after Volpe tied the game, you would have thought the Canyon of Heroes parade route was being mapped out. And yes, I’m picking on Volpe because everybody knows I’m not exactly president of his fan club. But this really isn't about him.

It's about the constant need to manufacture stars and manufacture moments.

A big hit happens? Clip it. Slow motion. Dramatic celebration. Everybody loses their minds.

Wonderful.

They lost the game. That’s the part that actually matters.

It reminds me of how we still see Aaron Boone’s home run off Tim Wakefield in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS. Was it incredible? Absolutely. I remember exactly how that felt.

But here's another thing I remember:

The Yankees didn't win the World Series.

Florida did.

Volpe is Boone. I think that's why Boone glazes him so much.  He sees so much in him. My opinion of course.

And maybe that makes me different from today's marketing department, but I don't want moments. I want championships. I want moments when championships and wins happen, not when they lose. When they lose, I don't care.

Meanwhile, the biggest story Wednesday wasn't Volpe's double anyway.

It was Aaron Judge leaving the game.

Judge was removed in the sixth inning because of tightness in his lower right leg. He said he first felt it while playing the field in the first inning and tried to continue before deciding it wasn't worth risking something worse. This was only his seventh game back after missing more than three months with a stress fracture in his right rib. Judge indicated afterward that he probably wouldn't need imaging, but we'll see.

That's the story I'm worried about.

Because we've already watched this Yankee season without Judge for far too long. The last thing this team needs, with October approaching, is another Judge injury.

So spare me the premature celebrations.

I'm a Yankee fan. I want this team to win. I desperately want to get excited about them. But give me something worth celebrating. Win the games.

Win in October. Win the World Series.

Then post every damn video you've got.

Until then, they're just moments.

And Wednesday's big "moment" ended exactly where too many of these Yankee moments eventually end:

With somebody else celebrating.

YANKS OCTOBER BOUND—BUT IT'S TOO EARLY FOR THE CHAMPAGNE

The Yankees are officially headed back to October, and yes, I’m happy about it.

They clinched a playoff spot beating the Twins, turning a late 2-1 deficit into another one of those nights when the lineup suddenly wakes up and remembers it’s allowed to score runs.

José Caballero got the Yankees started with a solo homer in the third and later tied the game with an RBI single in the eighth. Ben Rice followed with a two-run single, and then Aaron Judge finally delivered the swing everyone had been waiting for.

Judge launched a three-run homer to finish off a six-run eighth inning. It was his first home run since returning from the injured list—and hopefully the first sign that the big man is finding his timing exactly when the Yankees need him most.

Austin Wells added another homer in the ninth, while Will Warren gave the Yankees 5⅔ strong innings and allowed two unearned runs. It was a good win, a big comeback and a well-earned postseason berth. By the way, Wells? Batting .180... hardly a threat.

Also, I have one question: Should we really be pouring champagne?

I mean, come on, gang. Be happy. Shake hands. Play some music. Maybe crack open a cold one. But goggles, plastic-covered lockers and a full champagne celebration because you secured a playoff spot?

What are we doing here—handing out participation trophies?

These are the New York Yankees. Reaching the postseason is supposed to be the expectation, not the final accomplishment. They’re still chasing Tampa Bay in the American League East, and that should be the focus.

Win the division. Avoid the Wild Card round. Put yourself in the strongest possible position to make a real October run.

Then you can pop the cork.

For now, congratulations. The Yankees are in.

Now go win something. That's what the fans want.

THE HIGHLIGHT OF YESTERDAY? MEETING BALD VINNY IN THE FLESH

I hadn't been to a Yankee game in two years. And quite frankly, the only reason I went Saturday was because I was invited. I'm certainly not paying for a ticket while Aaron Boone is still at the helm.

Turns out, I didn't miss much.

The Yankees were absolutely awful in a 12-2 embarrassment against the Mets. Gerrit Cole set the tone immediately, surrendering three home runs and five runs on nine hits in just 4 1/3 innings. That's now seven homers allowed in his last two starts. This is supposed to be the ace we're counting on when October arrives? Figure it out, Gerrit. Quickly.

The offense wasn't much better. Cody Bellinger at least showed up, driving in both Yankee runs, including a homer. Aaron Judge went hitless, and Anthony Volpe appears to be settling nicely back into his normal JV ways, killing one of the Yankees' few opportunities by grounding into an inning-ending double play in the seventh. Welcome back.

Meanwhile, the Mets hit six home runs and basically used Yankee Stadium for batting practice. Francisco Lindor started the game with a homer and later added a grand slam just to make sure the humiliation was complete.

The highlight of my day? It had absolutely nothing to do with the game.

I finally got to meet Bald Vinny in person outside Billy's. That was worth the trip. Total businessman, solid hustler, got to appreciate this dude. Last time I met him was 2013. It's been years.

But baseball? Not so much.

Twelve runs allowed. Seven lousy hits. Two runs scored. An ace getting knocked around and an offense that looked lifeless.

Two years away from Yankee Stadium, and this is what I came back to?

Maybe I'll wait another two.

JUDGE RETURNS & THE YANKEES KEEP ROLLING

Aaron Judge is back. Finally.

The Yankee captain returned Tuesday night after missing 100 days, and while he went 0-for-3, nobody cares about the box score right now. Judge is healthy, he’s in right field, and the Yankees beat Colorado 5-3.

QUICK HITS: Judge is back. That’s the headline. Now stay healthy.

Cam Schlittler shoved: 7 innings, 1 earned run, 10 strikeouts. The kid continues to be the real deal.
Ryan McMahon ripped an RBI double to put the Yankees ahead.
Heliot Ramos delivered the dagger — a three-run bomb in the eighth.
David Bednar closed it out for save No. 32.

The Yankees are 82-62. September is here. Judge is back.

Enough excuses. Go win the damn thing.

THE CAPTAIN IS BACK! GO GET 28!

Aaron Judge is back.

Finally.

The Yankees activated their captain Monday night, and Judge is expected back in the lineup today against the Rockies after missing more than three months with a fractured rib. No rehab assignment. No more waiting. It’s go time. And man, did this lineup miss him.

The Yankees went 45-39 without Judge, but the offense was ugly. They hit just .227 during his absence, and now they enter the final 19 games four games behind Tampa Bay in the AL East.

So yes, I’m thrilled. Judge changes everything. His presence changes the lineup, changes how pitchers attack the Yankees and gives this team something it desperately needs:

Fear.

But now comes the question nobody wants to ask while we're celebrating: Can Aaron Judge get us to the finish line? Not September. Not a Wild Card banner. Not another “great season.” October. The World Series. A championship.

Judge is back.

Now go finish the damn job.

JUDGE GAVE THE YANKEES A DECADE. WHAT THE HELL HAVE THEY GIVEN HIM?

Ten years.

That's how long it's been since Aaron Judge arrived in the Bronx and hit his first Major League home run. August 13, 2016. Ten freaking years. Since then, Judge has become an MVP, a home run king, the captain of the New York Yankees and the face of baseball.

You know what he hasn't become? A World Series champion.

And I'm tired of pretending that's just bad luck. At some point, somebody needs to point the finger where it belongs: Brian Cashman, the Yankees front office and Aaron Boone.

Judge has given this organization everything. The Yankees have given him excuses.

Every year we're sold another version of the same garbage. The roster is talented. The underlying numbers are encouraging. Boone has a terrific winning percentage. Cashman believes in the process. Who gives a shit? Where are the championships?

This is the Yankees. Nobody hangs a banner for "pretty good regular season." Nobody walks through Monument Park reminiscing about Aaron Boone's winning percentage.

And please spare me the Boone defense. I've watched enough.

When the game gets tight, Boone gets exposed. When October demands instinct instead of a spreadsheet, we're treated to another pitching change that makes you scratch your head, another lineup decision nobody understands, another moment where Boone looks like he's managing the seventh game of spring training instead of the seventh game of a World Series.

Yet somehow, he's still here. Year after year. That's the part that drives me insane. How much evidence does this organization need? Judge isn't some prospect anymore. He's 34 years old. The clock isn't ticking quietly anymore. It's banging on the damn wall.

The Yankees were handed something most franchises would kill for: a generational superstar who wanted to be a Yankee, became captain and embraced everything that comes with playing in New York.

And they've managed to surround his prime with zero championships. That's organizational failure, sorry, it is. Yes, players need to perform in October. Judge included. Nobody gets a free pass.

But Brian Cashman has been responsible for constructing these teams. Aaron Boone has been responsible for managing them. And when the ending keeps looking familiar, eventually you stop blaming coincidence. You blame the people running the show. That's where I am.

I don't care how many regular-season games Boone has won. I don't care how many times Cashman explains how difficult winning a championship is. We know it's difficult. That's why you're paid to freaking do it. The Yankees used to measure seasons in championships. Somewhere along the way, this organization started measuring success in playoff appearances, winning records and organizational self-congratulation.

That's not Yankee baseball. That's corporate spin. And here's the scary part: They're running out of Aaron Judge. There aren't another ten prime years coming.

Keep Boone. Keep Cashman. Keep running back the same philosophy and hoping October magically ends differently. But don't act shocked someday when Judge retires, they put No. 99 in Monument Park and everybody suddenly realizes what happened. The Yankees had one of the greatest players of his generation. They had him for years. They had the money. They had the resources. They had the opportunity. And they pissed away his championship window.

Aaron Judge deserves his ring.

The question isn't whether he's done enough for the Yankees. It's whether the Yankees have done nearly enough for Aaron Judge. Right now?

Not even freaking close.

AARON JUDGE IS CLOSE TO A RETURN - BUT IS HE READY?

It's September so when we think about how Aaron Judge has been out since May 31st, it feels like a freaking lifetime ago. In baseball, three months is a lifetime. The clock is ticking on the regular season though, so there's not much time left if Judge is going to make it back for the playoffs.

If the rumor mill is true, Judge might be gearing up for a return very soon read more HERE. I hope it's true. Judge did travel with the team and he is ramping up his baseball activities as he works his way back from a right rib injury. Aaron Boone estimates that Judge could be back in action when the Yankees kick off a homestand against the Colorado Rockies on September 8th.

I hope he is ready to come back. Rib injuries are no joke and this isn't the first one he's ever had. The difference now is he's 34 and not the younger spring chicken he was when he experienced it back in 2019. He's on the other side of 30, and in baseball that's when everything slows down including your abilities and recovery time from injuries. Oh and, not for nothin, I don't trust the Yankees trainers or medical staff one bit. They suck. It's not the first time we've ranted about this.

There's one thing we all know about Judge. He wants to play, he's not okay sitting out and it's the end of the season so he is hungrier than ever. He's going to do or say whatever he has to so he can get back on that field. I love his spirit and drive in that respect, but it also makes me cringe because he's also the guy that is going to go balls out and play through anything and everything. If he's not 100% he's still going to tell you he is and play through any injury or setback. It's what makes him great. It's what makes him a leader. It's what makes him the most respected guy in the whole damn organization.

So, I just want him to be okay. I don't want him to dive on that ball in the outfield and injure his rib again or god forbid something else. He is the heartbeat of this team and getting him back could be the spark that we've been missing. This team looks VERY different when Judge is not on that field and in the lineup.

Fingers crossed that in less than a week Judge is back on the field and he is ready for action. We need him!

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

REPORT: BOONE’S SEAT IS GETTING WARM. GOOD.

For years, the Yankees have sold us the Aaron Boone résumé. Winning seasons. Playoff appearances. Great clubhouse. Players love him.

Wonderful. Where’s the championship?

Now Jon Heyman reports that Boone may finally be on “slightly less steady ground,” with his future potentially depending on what happens this October.

And it’s about time. Boone has managed the Yankees since 2018. He’s won plenty of games. He finally reached the World Series in 2024. But here’s the only number Yankees fans really care about:

ZERO championships.

That’s not being unfair. It's a fact. That’s being a Yankee fan. This isn’t a franchise where simply making the playoffs earns you a parade. Boone has had Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole, big payrolls and plenty of opportunities.

At some point, almost has to stop being good enough. I don't hate Aaron Boone. I think he's a bad manager that does not command respect.

Nine years without a championship in New York? Come on. The Yankees haven't won it all since 2009. Boone has been given plenty of runway to change that.

So maybe his seat really is getting warmer. Good.

Win No. 28. That's the job.

AARON JUDGE UPDATE? WHO KNOWS AT THIS POINT

For nearly three months, the Yankees have been playing the waiting game with Aaron Judge. Finally, there’s some actual movement.

Judge continues to make progress from the stress fracture in his right rib, and the Captain is slowly checking off the boxes. He’s throwing, running, lifting and has begun working his way back into hitting, including taking swings off a tee. So far, importantly, there haven’t been any reported setbacks.

Now comes the part Yankee fans actually care about: Can Judge get back on the field before this season runs out of runway?

There’s still no official return date, and nobody should start circling days on the calendar just yet. But every swing, throw and workout gets No. 99 a little closer.

At this point, Yankee fans don't need another vague medical update. They need Aaron Judge walking back into that lineup.

Because if the Yankees are going anywhere this fall, having the Captain along for the ride would certainly help.

Keep progressing, big man. We're waiting.

ALL THE TOOLS ARE THERE. LET LOMBARD COOK.

Let’s state something for the record: since George Lombard Jr. arrived in the big leagues, he has been a breath of fresh air.

Actually, make that a huge breath of fresh air that the Yankees desperately needed. The kid looks like he belongs. He moves like a natural athlete, plays with energy, runs the bases aggressively and — imagine this — actually looks comfortable playing shortstop for the New York Yankees.

 

Since his arrival, the Yankees have been playing better baseball, and Lombard has already found ways to contribute beyond the box score. On Wednesday in Baltimore, for example, he drove in two runs, including the go-ahead run in the eighth inning of a 5-3 Yankees win, not the mention homers, smooth fielding plays, great instincts.

And this is precisely why I have a problem with anyone suddenly reaching for the panic button when the kid screws something up. Because he will screw something up. He's a kid.

Friday night against Toronto, Lombard dropped a foul ball at shortstop. It was an error. It wasn't pretty.

So what?

He's 21 years old.

Back on July 26, before Lombard ever stepped onto a major-league field, I wrote this:

“Will George Lombard Jr. struggle when he gets to New York?

Of course he will. Every rookie does.

Aaron Judge struggled. Derek Jeter struggled.

The difference is those struggles come attached to legitimate upside. They're part of developing a player whose ceiling still looks incredibly high. With Volpe, Yankees fans aren't watching growing pains anymore. They're watching the same movie over and over, hoping the ending changes. It hasn't.”

And that is exactly where I still stand. There is absolutely no comparison between what we're watching with Lombard and what we watched for years with Anthony Volpe.

The Yankees handed Volpe the major-league shortstop job and essentially decided to finish his development in the Bronx. The training wheels were attached while the Yankees were trying to win baseball games. Mistakes became patterns. Patterns became seasons. And eventually Volpe, at 25 years old, was sent back to the minors.

Lombard's situation is totally different. The Yankees drafted him in 2023 and developed him through their system slowly. He earned his promotions. In 2026, he hit .284 with a .411 on-base percentage and .909 OPS in the minors before getting the call.

Then he arrived in New York and immediately looked like he belonged. His first major-league hit was a home run, and he flashed the glove immediately in his debut. As of Saturday morning, Lombard is hitting .292 with a .352 OBP and .790 OPS through his first 48 major-league at-bats.

That's not a finished product. That's the point. Lombard is a kid playing Major League Baseball. There will be errors. There will be bad at-bats. There will eventually be a slump because major-league pitchers have this annoying habit of adjusting to hitters. Then Lombard will have to adjust back. But let me be clear, it will be nothing in comparison to Anthony Volpe. Volpe was not ready and the Yankees forced him down our throats. Lombard? Lombard IS ready.

That's why I don't want to hear the overreaction if Lombard make a mistake. He's going to make rookie mistakes because — breaking news — he's a rookie.   I believed Lombard would eventually grab the spotlight because the athletic ability was obvious. Now we're seeing it.

So, enjoy the kid. Let him play. Let him screw up occasionally. And when he eventually goes 2-for-20 and somebody declares that pitchers have “figured him out,” everybody please remember what we're actually watching. We're not watching Anthony Volpe all over again.

We're watching a 21-year-old legitimate major-league talent learning how to become a major-league star. There is a very big difference.

And right now, George Lombard Jr. looks like he belongs exactly where he is.

THE YANKEES ARE COOKING!

Well, would you look at that.

The Yankees went into Baltimore and actually handled their business, beating the Orioles 6-1, finishing off the sweep and extending their winning streak to four games. No drama. No bullpen circus. Just a good, clean Yankee win.

Gerrit Cole led the way, and when your ace pitches like an ace, baseball suddenly becomes a lot easier. Cole gave the Yankees six strong innings, allowing one run while striking out eight. He also passed Roger Clemens on the Yankees' all-time strikeout list. Not bad company.

But maybe the best part was that the offense wasn't simply waiting around for Aaron Judge to save everybody.

Luis García Jr. had three hits and blasted his 25th homer. Spencer Jones had three hits and a homer of his own. Heliot Ramos picked up his first RBI as a Yankee, while Ben Rice, José Caballero and Jazz Chisholm Jr. all chipped in. Alittle long ball, alittle small ball. Imagine that—a lineup where everybody participates. What a concept.

And then Ryan Yarbrough came in and slammed the door with three perfect innings. Nine hitters up. Nine hitters down. Thank you very much. Drive safely.

We've beaten this team up plenty when they've deserved it, so they deserve credit when they play like this.

Four straight wins. A sweep. Cole dealing. New Yankees contributing. Young guys producing.

This is what we've been waiting for.

Now don't get cute.

Keep winning.

GRISHAM, RODÓN & LOMBARD GIVE ME SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT

Well, look at that.

The Yankees won a baseball game Tuesday night, 3–1 over the Orioles, and for once I don't feel the need to immediately locate the nearest wall and bang my head against it.

I'm calling that progress.

And while this wasn't exactly Murderers' Row reincarnated—the Yankees managed only five hits—there were actually several things to like about this one. So yes, I'm going to enjoy it. I don't get to do this nearly enough.

Let's start with Trent Grisham, because apparently he decided the rest of the offense could take the night off. Grisham drove in all three Yankee runs, blasting his 17th homer in the third inning and then delivering the biggest hit of the night, a two-run single in the seventh that broke a 1–1 tie. Even better, that single came after Grisham fell behind 0–2 against left-hander Josh Walker.

That's called a professional at-bat. Remember those?

Then there was Carlos Rodón, back from the injured list and looking pretty damn good considering he hadn't pitched in the majors since June 28. Rodón went four innings, allowed one run on 2 hits and gave the Yankees exactly what they needed in his first game back. The lone damage was a Coby Mayo solo homer.

Was it vintage Cy Young stuff? No. Did I need it to be? Absolutely not. Get Rodón healthy. Get him comfortable. Get him stretched out. If the Yankees are going anywhere meaningful over the next two months, they're going to need this guy.

And then there's George Lombard Jr.

I don't want to get carried away with a young player after a couple of weeks, because we've seen how dangerous that can be around this organization. But the kid keeps giving us reasons to watch.

Lombard went 2-for-4 with a run scored, but the play everyone will remember came with the glove. He ranged deep to his right, planted himself however the hell he could and fired across the diamond to rob Christian Encarnacion-Strand.

Rodón's reaction on the YES broadcast pretty much said it all.

Grunt Baseball here. These Yankee pitchers are WOW'd with what it's like to have an ACTUAL shortstop behind them.  That should tell the Yankees front office everything they need to know.

The interesting part is that Lombard isn't just surviving at shortstop. He's looking comfortable there. Since his August 4 call-up, he's provided athleticism, defense and some life to a lineup desperately needing it.

That's refreshing.

And finally, give the bullpen some credit.

After Rodón departed, Yankee relievers covered five scoreless innings. Yerry De Los Santos earned the win, Fernando Cruz helped escape trouble in the seventh, and David Bednar closed it out for save No. 28. Baltimore finished 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranded eight runners.

That's how you win when the offense isn't exactly setting off fireworks.

Pitch. Play defense. Get the big hit. Go home. It doesn't have to be complicated.

The Yankees are now 70–55, they've won two straight, and Tampa Bay lost Tuesday, pulling New York to five games back in the AL East.

Am I planning the parade? Relax. This team still has problems. Five hits isn't exactly something you frame and hang over the fireplace. Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton are still out, and there are plenty of questions surrounding this roster.

But Tuesday night wasn't about complaining. It was about Grisham coming through when they needed him. Rodón returning and looking healthy. Lombard continuing to show us something. And a bullpen protecting a lead instead of lighting it on fire.

That's a good Yankee win. I'll take it. Hell, I'll even smile about it. Just don't make me regret saying that Wednesday night.

FRIED AGAIN? YANKS CAN’T KEEP ANYBODY HEALTHY

Just when you thought the Yankees were finally getting their rotation together, Max Fried is back on the injured list. Again.

Fried was placed on the 15-day IL just a short time ago with a left elbow bone bruise — the same injury that cost him nearly two months earlier this season. Seriously, why the hell can’t the Yankees stay healthy?

We literally just got finished talking about how exciting it would be to finally see Gerrit Cole, Max Fried and Carlos Rodón healthy and pitching in the same rotation. That's the kind of three-headed monster that can carry you through October.

And right on cue, Rodón is ready to return Tuesday after dealing with his own elbow inflammation and Fried goes down. You can't make this stuff up.

At some point, I think it's fair to start asking questions beyond simple bad luck. Should the Yankees be taking a serious look at their medical staff, training staff, strength and conditioning programs and the way they manage player health?

I'm not accusing anyone of causing injuries. Pitchers get hurt. That's baseball. But when you're constantly waiting for Judge, Stanton, Bellinger, Rodón, Fried and others to get healthy, eventually somebody needs to examine the bigger picture. The Yankees' current injury list includes several major pieces, and Fried's latest setback only adds to it.

Because this is getting ridiculous.

The Yankees have spent a fortune assembling a championship-caliber roster. It would be nice if we could actually see the damn roster on the field at the same time.

DAVID CONE JUST EXPOSED THE YANKEES’ BIGGEST PROBLEM

There comes a point when “trust the process” becomes an excuse for not having a solution. David Cone appears to have reached that point with the Yankees.

During Saturday’s miserable 4-1 loss to Toronto, Cone pushed back on the philosophy we’ve heard repeatedly around this team: keep hitting the ball hard, keep putting together good at-bats, and eventually those hard-hit balls will start falling.

Cone’s point was simple: That’s not enough anymore. Thank you, Coney.

The Yankees aren't playing for exit velocity points. Nobody gets half a run because Statcast liked the contact. You have to actually score. And these Yankees simply don't.

Since Aaron Judge went down, the Yankees have averaged only 3.3 runs per game and scored just three runs over their last 27 innings. Saturday they managed four hits — all singles — against seven Toronto pitchers. Their only run came when Spencer Jones singled and George Lombard Jr. eventually knocked him home.

One run. That was it.

And this isn't a cute little slump anymore. The Yankees have been one of baseball's worst offenses since Judge went down. That's why Cone's criticism matters. When Plan A isn't working, your manager's job is to find Plan B.

Move runners. Change the lineup. Manufacture something. Create pressure. Demand better at-bats. Get angry. DO SOMETHING.

Instead, Aaron Boone gives us the same corporate Yankee word salad. Good swings. Good process. Hard contact. Eventually they'll fall.

When, Aaron? November?

This is exactly why I don't believe Boone is the right manager when things get difficult. When Judge is launching baseballs and the Yankees are scoring six runs, Boone looks fine. But when the offense disappears and the players start pressing, he doesn't seem capable of changing the temperature of that clubhouse.

Boone doesn't motivate. He waits.

And then there's Michael Kay. I like Michael, but enough already with explaining why things aren't quite as bad as Yankee fans think they are. We have eyes. We see the scoreboard. At some point, defending the process starts sounding less like analysis and more like selling the company line.

Cone didn't do that. He challenged the philosophy itself.

The Yankees don't need somebody telling them their hard-hit percentage suggests better days are coming. They need runs. They need urgency. They need somebody in that dugout who understands that August baseball doesn't care about expected statistics.

This pitching staff continues giving the Yankees opportunities to win, and the offense continues wasting them. That's not bad luck anymore.

That's Brian Cashman's roster. That's Aaron Boone's clubhouse. That's the Yankees' philosophy.

David Cone finally poked a hole in the analytics balloon. Stop telling us how hard they're hitting the baseball and start explaining why nobody can get a runner home.

Because right now, I don't see a manager solving the problem.

I see Aaron Boone waiting for the problem to solve itself.

And that may be the biggest problem of all.

IT'S NOT OFTEN THAT I AGREE WITH AROD, BUT IT JUST HAPPENED!

Ten years ago yesterday, August 12th, 2016, Alex Rodriguez played in his last game as a Yankee against the Rays. Oh how I look at that and think about the irony. Now he just sits back and talks about them and the strategy the Yankees should've taken to chase down the Rays in the AL East.

It's funny because he's been doing a lot of talking lately. I don't always agree with him. His idea that the Dodgers are good for baseball this week is one I don't agree with. However, the idea that the Yankees should've gone "all in" at the trade deadline I do agree with. If you missed it, check it out HERE. 

"The issue that you have with the Yankees, it's a tale of two stories," Rodriguez said. "They have the best pitching in baseball. They've collected some of the best pitchers, and by the way they haven't even been healthy all year but this is a championship-caliber pitching staff. I would've loved to see an extra arm or two because the by-product of not having a good offense, especially without Aaron Judge, they're pretty much 30th in every offensive category. What's gonna happen is you’re gonna play in a lot of tight games, you're not gonna blow anyone out. That means you're gonna tax your bullpen. You're gonna be the belly of your bullpen most of the year, and by the time September comes, their arms are gonna fall off. So that's my biggest concern."

We have wasted so many good, productive years in Judge's career. Next year he will be 35 and let's be honest, he's had some gnarly injuries. That's not going to get easier for the Yankees to manage. He's not going to be the young spring chicken anymore. Our starting pitching hasn't been this strong in a long time. Why waste that with an anemic offense that doesn't show up when Judge is out? It's even worse considering Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton are still out with their own injuries. It's like they are giving up without actually selling off the team.

Why not go "all in" as Rodriguez said and get some impact bats and upgrade your weaknesses that clearly aren't working? If you aren't going to sell, then don't just stand pat and make Band-Aid fixes! Cut the dead weight! Cutting Anthony Volpe wasn't enough. George Lombard Jr. getting his promotion needed to happen (it just wasn't an option not to), but they should've done more than just that. They needed to upgrade Austin Wells too!  That line from Brian Cashman about having "limited options" at catcher was a load of crap! Our rivals did it. That doesn't fix the Yankees but it sure is an addition by subtraction just getting rid of Wells who can't even hit his weight.

The Yankees needed to do more. They needed to be hungrier. The rest of these teams are looking at our starting rotation wishing they had it. They are envious for a moment, and then they realize all their offense has to do is 'keep them in the game' because they are likely to win those close games because our bullpen is not at the same level. A one run lead isn't as hard to protect for our rivals as it should be. You can't just rely on your starting pitching....the offense and bullpen need to also execute.

As Rodriguez said, "It's amazing how the whole fan base knew exactly how this was going to turn out and it did." That shouldn't be okay. That shouldn't be accepted and swept under the rug. Judge deserves more. The team deserves more. The fans deserve more. We deserve a front office with balls. We deserve a change from the top down. 

What a disgrace.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

SOX ON FIRE, YANKEES ON EDGE!

Almost 4 months ago, the Boston Red Sox fired Alex Cora and it looked like Boston was done for. All of Yankee land was laughing as we enjoyed looking down at Boston all the way at the bottom of the AL East. They were deflated, we were in first place and that what we want to see. 

My how times have changed. Since then, the Yankees have lost heavy hitters in Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Cody Bellinger. Add in pitcher Carlos Rodon and it is doomsday. The Yankees have been trying to tread water and the Red Sox literally lit a fire underneath everyone and went on winning streaks of 26-3 and 32-5 while the Yankees continue to stagger and stumble. Now the Yankees are literally feeling the Red Sox breathe down the necks. Suddenly a slip to third is very possible.

And I sit here and hate it all while being in amazement of George Lombard Jr and be pleasantly surprised at times by Spencer Jones. Those bright moments have come too late though because we are now as uncomfortable as it gets. What was once a 15 game lead over the Red Sox is now down to a game and a half.

I always say never underestimate the Red Sox. You never count them out....ever. They just reminded us of this. Months ago it looked like a minimum of a first Wild Card spot was likely. The American League is curiously weak compared to the National League. If the Yankees couldn't catch the Rays, we would at least have the first Wild Card spot. But....that the reality is, that might not be what happens here.

Not unless the Yankees start playing like their hair and asses are on fire! Rodon should be back soon, and Judge is progressing. Hopefully we also have Bellinger back by the time we see Boston again but that's not a guarantee. No doubt our injuries have hurt us, and we are missing our star power but both teams feed off of their starting pitching. The Red Sox have still found a way to win with a lineup that is not exactly loaded with big names or contracts.

The difference between these two teams is heart. The Yankees have shown we have that recently, but we need more of it to get us to the finish line. This is going to be a dog fight to the very end, and it's not going to be easy. 

Just in case you need a reminder.....NEVER underestimate the Red Sox.....EVER!

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

THE BRONX IS DEAD

There comes a time when enough is enough. For me, that time is now. This isn't about losing a baseball game. This isn't about one bad trade deadline.

This is about watching the greatest franchise in American sports become a corporate shell of itself, run by executives who seem perfectly content selling yesterday's championships while refusing to build tomorrows.

The New York Yankees are no longer the Evil Empire. The Bronx is Dead. They're lifeless. They're predictable. They're stale. And worst of all, they've accepted it.

The 2026 trade deadline wasn't just disappointing. It was insulting. Insulting to every fan who shells out hundreds of dollars to sit in Yankee Stadium. Insulting to every parent buying $50 hats and $300 jerseys for their kids.

Insulting to every fan who still believes the words "World Series or Bust" actually mean something. Instead, Brian Cashman did what Brian Cashman has become famous for doing. He admired talent from a distance. 

Adley Rutschman? Rumored. Luis Arráez? Rumored. Ryan Jeffers? Made too much sense. Tarik Skubal? Dream on. The Yankees "checked in."

That's become Cashman's championship parade. Checking in. Making calls. Having conversations. Congratulations. Someone get the man a participation trophy. The rest of baseball is making blockbuster deals while Brian Cashman is apparently collecting frequent flyer miles from traveling to the land of "almost."

At some point, Yankees fans have to stop applauding effort and start demanding results. And don't give me the tired excuses. 

"The asking price was too high."

"The market wasn't favorable."

"We like our depth."

Spare me.

You're the New York Yankees. Act like it.

This is the same franchise that once made the rest of baseball lose sleep because if there was a superstar available, the Yankees were getting him. Now they're the team explaining why they couldn't. That's not the Yankees. That's a business pretending to be a baseball team.

Meanwhile, Aaron Judge is putting together one of the greatest careers we've ever witnessed in pinstripes. And what are the Yankees doing with that gift? Wasting it. Flat-out wasting it.

Championship windows don't stay open forever. Every season that passes without putting the absolute best roster around Aaron Judge is organizational malpractice. And don't tell me Luis Garcia Jr. is supposed to change that. Heliot Ramos is nice. Garcia is a nice addition. They are not a savior. They don't fix catcher. They don't solve shortstop. Pathetic.

He doesn't magically turn an inconsistent offense into a championship lineup. Putting a Band-Aid on a broken leg doesn't heal the fracture. Then there's Aaron Boone. Let's stop pretending this guy is the answer. In my opinion, Aaron Boone has been a bad manager for years.

Not because he's a bad person. Because the results speak for themselves. Every October ends with another excuse. Every press conference sounds exactly the same.

"We battled."

"We competed."

"We'll be ready tomorrow." Tomorrow?

Yankees fans have been hearing about tomorrow for seven years. Boone has become baseball's most predictable postgame interview. Every loss is wrapped in the same neatly packaged clichés while the same mistakes continue to happen. Poor fundamentals. Questionable in-game decisions. An offense that disappears in October. A clubhouse that too often looks flat when the moment gets big.

Enough already. But here's the twist.

Aaron Boone is also a pawn.

He's the lightning rod. The shield. The guy sent downstairs to answer for decisions made upstairs. Because the biggest problem isn't sitting in the dugout. It's sitting in the executive offices. Brian Cashman has become comfortable. Comfortable selling hope instead of championships. Comfortable reminding everyone about the dynasty he helped build nearly three decades ago.

Here's the problem. It's not 1998 anymore.

Nobody gets lifetime tenure because they were great a generation ago. The Yankees are supposed to be in the business of winning championships—not celebrating memories. Which brings me to two men who seem to have disappeared completely.

Where the hell are Hal Steinbrenner and Randy Levine?

Seriously. Where are they? Are they hiding under their desks? Did someone confiscate their microphones?

Their fans are furious. The media is asking questions. The trade deadline came and went with more disappointment than direction. And ownership?

Nothing. Silence. No accountability. No explanation. No fire. George Steinbrenner would've been pacing the hallways demanding answers before the ink dried on the trade paperwork.

Today's Yankees?

They'll probably release another carefully worded statement about believing in the roster. Enough. The public backlash against Brian Cashman isn't some overreaction. It's years in the making.

Fans are sick of hearing about prospects that never become stars while established stars wear someone else's uniform. Fans are sick of hearing that the Yankees "liked" this player or "explored" that trade. Fans are sick of being told patience is a strategy. The Yankees don't have a catcher that strikes fear into anyone. They have glaring questions at shortstop. And no amount of spin changes that reality.

Pitching wins championships? Sure. But pitchers don't score runs. You still have to hit. And the Yankees have ignored offensive flaws for far too long.

Meanwhile, Aaron Judge keeps carrying this franchise on his back while the people responsible for helping him continue to come up short. So, here's my message.

Not to Aaron Judge. Not to the players wearing the uniform.

To Brian Cashman. To Aaron Boone. To Hal Steinbrenner. To Randy Levine.

You have taken the most recognizable franchise in baseball and turned it into an organization that celebrates almost. Almost making trades. Almost winning. Almost fixing obvious problems. Almost isn't good enough in the Bronx.

It never was.

And it never should be.

So yes...

Boycott this team.

Don't buy the tickets. Don't buy the jerseys. Don't reward complacency with your hard-earned money. Because the only language ownership understands isn't boos. It's empty seats. The New York Yankees were once the Evil Empire. Today the Bronx is Dead—the Yankees are a franchise living off ghosts while the executives who built this mess hide from the people who pay for it.

Until Brian Cashman is held accountable. Until Aaron Boone is no longer the manager. Until Hal Steinbrenner and Randy Levine stop hiding and explain to the fans why this has become acceptable, nothing changes.

And that's why I say it again.

BOYCOTT.

BOYCOTT.

BOYCOTT.