BOONE'S OBSESSION WITH VOLPE COULD JEOPARDIZE LOMBARD AT SHORTSTOP

There’s a growing perception among fans—and in my opinion, Aaron Boone’s continued faith in Anthony Volpe borders on an obsession that isn’t really being justified by results on the field. Volpe has shown moments where he contributes, with the occasional hit or home run, but the overall consistency, both offensively and defensively, still doesn’t look like what you expect from a locked-in major league shortstop. That concern only got louder after his return game, where he went 0-for-3 and committed an error at shortstop, reinforcing for critics the idea that the same issues keep surfacing at key moments.

The bigger frustration is how this plays out structurally within the organization. After Volpe’s rehab stint, the New York Yankees optioned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but the ripple effect seemed to immediately complicate the infield picture. Volpe returned to shortstop in the minors, while George Lombard Jr. was shifted around to accommodate that alignment, moving across different infield spots instead of settling into one consistent developmental track.

Boone addressed Lombard Jr.’s versatility, saying: “George[Lombard Jr.], like he’s done a lot, will bounce around. And then again, we’ll—we’ll keep revisiting this as we move through it. But George [Lombard Jr.] has already had a lot of experience playing third, second, short—all very well. So, it won’t be anything too different for George.”

From a development standpoint, that approach has raised eyebrows. Lombard Jr. is viewed by many as the more dynamic, athletic, and versatile defender, and there’s a belief among some observers that constantly shifting his position while juggling Triple-A adjustment periods may not be ideal for his long-term growth. In contrast, Volpe continues to be given a steady runway at shortstop, which fuels the perception—fair or not—that he’s being prioritized in a way that overrides pure performance evaluation.

This also feeds into a broader organizational critique of the New York Yankees’ ability to consistently develop homegrown position players over the past 20-plus years. Outside of a few clear successes like Brett Gardner and Aaron Judge, the track record is often viewed as uneven, with prospects like Oswald Peraza frequently cited as examples of stalled or complicated development paths.

Taken together, it’s created a messy infield picture: Volpe being given continued opportunity at shortstop, Lombard Jr. being asked to adapt around him, and an overall sense among fans that the development plan is becoming harder to follow than it needs to be.

We will see how this plays out, but I find it annoying and disgusting and downright weird.

OUT OF TOUCH HAL STEINBRENNER JUST MADE IT WORSE

Hal Steinbrenner appeared on a video call this week looking like a man who just realized fans know math. He announced, in his signature soft-spoken “please don’t yell at me” tone, that it’s still too early to know the 2026 payroll. But—don’t worry!—he’d like it to be lower than the $319 million spent in 2025.

“Would it be ideal if I went down?” Hal mused, as if he were deciding between yacht sizes. “Of course. But does that mean that’s going to happen? Of course not. We want to field a team we believe can win a championship.”

Believe. That’s the key word with this ownership group. Believe. Wish. Hope. Pray. Manifest. Burn sage. Sacrifice a chicken. Anything but build an actual roster that wins the World Series.

The problem? Belief hasn’t delivered a title since 2009. That was 16 seasons ago. A whole human being has gone from diapers to high school in the time it’s taken Hal Steinbrenner to figure out that pitching depth matters.

Instead of acknowledging the colossal failures of the front office—which fans have been screaming about, writing about, tweeting about, billboard-ing about—Hal chose instead to protect Aaron Boone like he’s wrapping the last candle on a birthday cake.

Boone, Hal insists, is “a good manager at many of the things he has to do.” Translation: he fills out a lineup card and remembers to file an HR report after every ejection.

But the actual losing? According to Hal, that’s on the players. Not Cashman for building another roster with holes you could drive an Amtrak through. Not Boone for managing like he’s trying to win a participation ribbon at a middle school science fair. Not the organization that keeps trotting out the same stale formulas, training methods, and analytics that worked exactly once—eleven years ago.

And this is exactly the kind of thing Bleeding Yankee Blue has been calling out for years. We aren’t a corporate mouthpiece. We’re the bellowing megaphone of the fanbase—the only entity that holds this team accountable because the Yankees sure as hell don’t hold themselves accountable. BYB has ripped into Cashman’s complacency, Boone’s cookie-cutter mediocrity, and Hal’s tone-deaf billionaire logic long before the mainstream media grew the guts to do it.

We’re not writers pretending to be above the fray. We’re fans. Paying fans. Fans who don’t get comped seats behind the dugout—we sit with the people who spend a month’s rent for two beers, a hot dog, and a parking spot.

So when Hal starts lecturing the fanbase about expenses, we’re allowed to laugh right in his face.

According to Forbes, the Yankees raked in over $700 million in revenue in 2025. Hal, however, says that’s “not fair or accurate” because nobody talks about expenses—like the $100 million annual payment to New York City.

Right. Because we were all sitting here thinking, “Gee, I hope the Steinbrenner family is doing okay financially.” Poor Hal. Barely scraping by. Just a humble billionaire trying to keep the lights on and the stadium sushi fresh.

Meanwhile, fans are spending:

-$80 for a nosebleed ticket
-$40 for a beer that tastes like regret
-$150 for a jersey with a player's name who’ll be DFA’d in three months
-$65 for parking unless you want to risk your car in a pothole the size of Mariano Rivera
-And a small fortune for food, merch, and a commemorative cup we never asked for

The Yankees aren’t hurting. They’re swimming in cash like Scrooge McDuck. And yet somehow, we’re supposed to believe they can’t go the extra mile for a roster upgrade?

Then look at the ACTUAL moves so far:

Paid Trent Grisham $22 million—the most expensive “insurance policy” in baseball history.  Added Ryan Yarbrough—because apparently the Yankees just had to get another soft-tossing lefty. Non-tendered relievers like someone cleaning out expired yogurt. And still haven’t fixed left field. Because why fix something that’s been broken since Brett Gardner's first retirement?

For a team that claims it “needs” outfield help and bullpen help, they are sprinting headfirst into February acting like everything will magically come together if they manifest hard enough. Oh, and Cody Bellinger? Hal declined to comment. Which is rich, because he doesn’t seem shy about commenting on everything else.

This is the same owner who said he was “confused” by fan frustration during a midseason stretch so bad it made the 2013–2016 era look like the 1927 Yankees. Confused! As if the booing wasn’t loud enough for him to hear from Tampa.

This is also the same owner who defended Brian Cashman’s job security by saying “he has earned the right to stay.” Earned? In what universe? If any of us delivered the kind of results Cashman has delivered since 2009, we’d be escorted out of our workplaces with a cardboard box and a security guard.

And this is the same owner who blamed a 2025 ALDS exit on the players—never the people who built a roster with:

-No depth
-No stability
-No left field
-No October identity
-And no plan other than “maybe Gerrit Cole saves us again”

So here’s the truth nobody in the Yankees’ front office wants to hear:

Yankees fans are done with excuses. We’re done with lectures. We’re done with tone-deaf billionaires crying poor. And we’re done being treated like we don’t know the difference between a real championship blueprint and the same broken strategy the Yankees keep recycling.

If Hal Steinbrenner doesn’t want to invest in the Yankees like the powerhouse they used to be, then maybe it’s time for someone else to step in—someone who actually cares about winning instead of profits, optics, tax thresholds, and PR spin.

Because right now?

Hal is complacent. Cashman is stale. Boone is overmatched. And the Yankees, the greatest franchise in sports history, are a $7-billion machine being run like a thrift store version of Moneyball.

If Hal wants to keep acting confused, out of touch, and allergic to urgency, then maybe he should finally do what fans have been whispering for years:

Sell the team.

Until then, Bleeding Yankee Blue will keep saying what the front office won’t: Yankees fans deserve better than this. And we’re not shutting up anytime soon.

COULD STEVE KWAN BE THE YANKEES NEW LEAD-OFF GUY?

I mean dude, I say yes!

Look, what happens if Trent Grisham packs his bags and waves goodbye to the Yankees? Well, then we’re staring at a classic Bronx conundrum: who the heck bats leadoff?

One thing’s for sure — it absolutely cannot be Austin Wells. Remember that unhinged spring-training chat with Aaron Boone where someone floated Wells as a potential table-setter? Boone practically nodded like he’d just discovered fire. It was adorable… and horrifying. Wells at leadoff would be a baseball death sentence. You can’t have a guy hitting .219 walk up first and pretend that’s strategy.

And no, it’s not Anthony Volpe either. Look, once upon a time — sight unseen — I might’ve tossed him up there just to see if his “gritty undersized shortstop” energy would magically turn him into 2009 Dustin Pedroia. Spoiler: it did not. Turns out he and Wells share the same offensive superpower: being wildly overrated for reasons no one can explain.

So who’s left? Ben Rice? Honestly, I can see it. The kid can hit, he’s got a pulse, and he runs better than anyone else they’ve shoved behind the plate lately. But if the Yankees want to stop embarrassing themselves and actually improve the top of the lineup? There’s another name they should be tripping over themselves to acquire:

Steven. Freaking. Kwan.

This is the kind of player Cashman should’ve been drooling over years ago — not the latest “three-true-outcomes-but-mostly-strikeouts” experiment they keep dragging in like it’s a hobby. Kwan has won a Gold Glove in every single season he’s played, which already makes him the Yankees’ best outfielder the moment he puts on the jersey. He hits for contact, he gets on base, he works counts, he doesn’t strike out like he’s auditioning for a windmill festival — and for reasons no one saw coming, the man has actually developed a little pop.

Basically: he’s everything the Yankees haven’t had since Brett Gardner stopped yelling at dugout water coolers.

And let’s be real — this lineup needs someone who can start innings, not just end them with moonshots. New York led MLB with 274 homers. Great. Congrats. Hang a banner that says “We Hit Solo Shots And Lose Anyway.” What they didn’t have was a consistent table-setter — someone to actually manufacture runs.

Kwan is that guy.

Then there’s the defense. Jasson Dominguez spent most of the season patrolling left field like he was searching for hidden treasure instead of fly balls. It was rough. Real rough. Kwan shows up, and suddenly left field goes from “crime scene” to “competent.” Meanwhile, Dominguez can take his time, develop properly, and not have to make 11 diving attempts per game.

And with the likely return of Cody Bellinger (assuming Brian Cashman decides to do something productive for once), plus Spencer Jones knocking on the door like a hungry Rottweiler, Kwan fits perfectly. He stabilizes everything. He deepens the lineup. He fixes the outfield. He makes Boone’s job easier, which is honestly a public service at this point.

If the Yankees have any sense left in that front office — big “if” — Kwan is exactly the kind of piece they should be chasing.

THE YANKEES ARE PLAYING THE WRONG SHORTSTOP!

Saying a player is hitting balls hard is a cop out for the player. There, I said it.  

You don't build an average; you don't help your team if you are hitting balls hard and getting out.  Can we just stop the nonsense? Anthony Volpe is Mario Mendoza plain and simple. He's got a marketable face, but that's about it.  My #11 Jersey is a Brett Gardner jersey, plain and simple.

Another chapter in the tragic comedy that is Anthony Volpe: Shortstop of the Future. Except now it's 2025, and the future has arrived... and it's batting .198.

Let’s rewind to Tuesday night in Cleveland. Top of the eighth. Yankees down a run. Two outs. Runners on first and second. Prime time for a clutch hit. Instead, Anthony Volpe steps in and does what Anthony Volpe does best these days — works the count to 2-2 and then flails helplessly at a slider from Evan Gaddis. Strike three. For those keeping score at home, that was his third consecutive swing-and-miss in the at-bat, following two high fastballs that looked like they were in a different zip code.

Volpe’s final line? A mighty 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. Through April 23, at that point he was limping along with a .209 batting average and a career-worst 27.1% strikeout rate, according to FanGraphs. The guy’s missing hittable pitches in the strike zone like he's being paid to sabotage rallies.

Kristie Ackert of Athlon Sports tried to spin the numbers into something hopeful, writing:

“He is hitting the ball harder. His average exit velocity has jumped to 90.3 mph (up from 87.7 last year), and he’s already posted a 13.8% barrel rate, higher than both his 2023 and 2024 marks combined. The Yankees even gave him the controversial ‘torpedo bat’ to lean into that power. But his line drive rate is down to 15.5%, and his fly ball rate is up to 31.0%, with many of those poorly struck.”

Translation: He’s swinging harder... but he’s still not hitting anything.

Pitchers? They’ve adjusted. 

Volpe’s whiff rate on fastballs is now creeping toward 30%, and breaking stuff has turned him into a human windmill. He’s 0-for-13 this season combined against sliders, curveballs, and changeups — with a jaw-dropping whiff rate of over 45%. Tuesday night’s strikeout wasn’t just a bad at-bat; it was a flashing neon sign of a much deeper problem. He’s swinging smarter, maybe. But swinging smarter doesn’t mean much when you still miss nearly half the time. Pitchers adjusted to Kevin Maas too and he eventually faded away.

And while the Yankees keep doubling down on Volpe like a gambler chasing bad bets, Oswald Peraza remains the obvious better option — and somehow, still the overlooked one.

Let’s talk about Peraza. Better defender? Absolutely. Smoother glove, quicker hands, and doesn’t boot the routine plays that Volpe turns into heart attacks. Offensively? He’s not a .209 hitter. He never has been. Peraza can hit for average, doesn’t strike out in bunches, and brings real poise to the plate. No gimmicky “torpedo bat” required — just good old-fashioned ability.

And yet, the Yankees hitched their wagon to Volpe like he was the next Jeter — but he’s playing more like the second coming of Eduardo Núñez without the fun speed. The organization made their pick, and it’s painfully clear they backed the wrong horse, again.

Volpe’s been given every opportunity, every headline, every ounce of patience. And yet, here we are: still watching him chase sliders and pop up to second like clockwork.

Meanwhile, Oswald Peraza — the better fielder, the better contact hitter, the guy who doesn’t look like a deer in the headlights with runners on — waits in the wings. Or worse, rides a bus to Scranton. The Yankees need to face reality: they chose the wrong shortstop.

It’s not too late to fix it. But if they keep pretending Volpe is the answer, they’re going to keep getting the same result — weak contact, high whiffs, and another season of wasted potential. Let Peraza play. He’s earned it. And frankly, he deserves better than watching this mess from the bench.

Finally, I just want to say this; I'm not ripping on Kristie Ackert at all. She is admired and respected. What I am ripping on is this new world of "hitting balls hard" and nothing to show for it.  When I grew up you looked at a dude's average, dingers and RBIs.  If he didn't strike out that was a plus and if he could swipe a few bags, that was great too. But that's all you needed to know when a player was solid or not.  This world of "hitting balls hard" and batting .191 is the dumbest form of baseball I've ever seen. There is no progress for that player, in fact, they should probably just give it up.  And so there, I had to say that.  Hey Kristie, respect!

MORE DEVASTATING NEWS IN THE DEATH OF BRETT GARDNER'S SON

The baseball world is reeling as new details emerge regarding the tragic death of Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of retired New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner. Authorities in Costa Rica now believe carbon monoxide poisoning may have been the cause of Miller’s passing, reversing their earlier claims that food intoxication was to blame.

Miller, the beloved son of Brett and Jessica Gardner, died peacefully in his sleep on March 21 while on a family vacation in Costa Rica. Initially, officials suspected that food toxins led to his asphyxiation, but recent findings suggest otherwise. According to ESPN, Randall Zuniga, director of Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department, confirmed that high levels of carbon monoxide were detected in Miller’s hotel room. The room was located next to a “machine room,” which investigators now believe may have emitted dangerous amounts of the odorless gas.

While these findings are significant, Zuniga cautioned that they remain preliminary. A final autopsy and toxicology report are still pending, leaving unanswered questions in the wake of this devastating loss.

The news has sent shockwaves through the Yankees community and the baseball world at large. Brett Gardner, a fan favorite and a key part of the Yankees organization for over 17 years, is known for his grit, leadership, and loyalty. His legacy as a player and as a family man has made this tragedy all the more heartbreaking for those who followed his career.

In the wake of Miller’s passing, the New York Yankees released an emotional statement expressing their grief: “Words feel insignificant and insufficient in trying to describe such an unimaginable loss. It wasn’t just Brett who literally grew up in this organization for more than 17 years—so did his wife, Jessica, and their two boys, Hunter and Miller.”

For Yankees fans and baseball lovers everywhere, this news is nothing short of devastating. The Gardner family is in the thoughts and prayers of many who admired Brett not just as a player, but as a devoted husband and father.

As investigations continue, the focus remains on honoring Miller’s memory and supporting the Gardners in this unimaginable time of sorrow. The baseball world stands with them, united in grief and love for one of its own.

CAUSE OF DEATH FOR BRETT GARDNER'S SON REVEALED

Losing a child is an unimaginable tragedy—one that no parent should ever have to endure. As a father of four, I cannot begin to comprehend the heartbreak Brett and Jessica Gardner are experiencing right now. The devastating news of their son Miller’s passing is something no family should ever have to face, and my heart goes out to them in this unthinkable moment.

For Yankee fans who have followed Brett Gardner over the years, I know many of you are mourning alongside the Gardner family. Out of respect for their privacy, we will not be sharing specific details, but we do know that Miller tragically passed away while the family was on vacation in Costa Rica. Several relatives reportedly fell ill, and Miller passed “peacefully in his sleep” on the morning of March 21.

Authorities in Costa Rica have stated that preliminary findings suggest Miller’s death was caused by asphyxiation, potentially due to food-related intoxication. His body was discovered in a hotel room in Manuel Antonio, a well-known resort town on the country’s Pacific Coast. An official with Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency told NBC News that the cause was “possible intoxication after apparently ingesting some food,” though the full details remain unclear as authorities await final autopsy and toxicology results.

Brett and Jessica released a statement honoring their son’s life, saying, “Miller was a beloved son and brother, and we cannot yet comprehend our life without his infectious smile. He loved football, baseball, golf, hunting, fishing, his family, and his friends. He lived life to the fullest every single day.”

This is the kind of news no one ever wants to report. Brett Gardner has largely stayed out of the public eye since stepping away from baseball, and it’s deeply painful that this is how his name is now being brought back into the conversation. There are no words that can truly ease the pain of such a loss, but all we can do is send our deepest prayers to Brett, Jessica, and their family.

Rest in peace, Miller.

BRETT GARDNER'S YOUNGEST SON PASSES

Horrible news that I don't even want to report, but I see that the Yankees have put out a statement from Brett and Jessica Gardner so I feel obligated to report this to the BYB fans as well as the MLB and Yankee fans alike. A tragic story... I feel so horrible for the Gardner family. Here is their statement:

Statement from Brett and Jessica Gardner:

With heavy hearts we are saddened to announce the passing of our youngest son, Miller. He was 14 years old and has left us far too soon after falling ill along with several other family members while on vacation. We have so many questions and so few answers at this point, but we do know that he passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Friday, March 21st.

Miller was a beloved son and brother and we cannot yet comprehend our life without his infectious smile. He loved football, baseball, golf, hunting, fishing, his family and his friends. He lived life to the fullest every single day.

We are so thankful to all who have reached out to offer support and encouragement during this difficult time and we are confident our faith, family, and friends will help us navigate this unimaginable loss. Our prayers go out to Miller's teammates and friends, as well as to all other families who have lost a child far too soon as we share their grief.

 
Please respect our wishes for privacy as we mourn and search for healing.


May he rest in peace. My prayers are with Brett, Jessica and their family.

HERE COMES JASSON DOMINGUEZ... I HOPE

Alright, let’s talk about the Yankees' offseason moves! Honestly, I love what the Bronx Bombers have been cooking up. From savvy signings to addressing key needs, they’ve made some great choices to stay ahead of the pack. But let me just stop right here and say: bringing Pete Alonso to the Bronx? Absolutely not. Hard pass. Why ruin this offseason?

Instead of chasing Alonso, it’s time to double down on the exciting potential of Jasson Dominguez and find a better choice for first in my opinion. The kid’s got all the tools to shine, and finally giving him a real shot? Chef’s kiss. Cashman seems to agree, saying, “I’d like to see Dominguez get his shot now. He’s young. He’s got to earn it and retain it.” Yes, Brian! Preach!

Let’s not forget: Dominguez is the Yankees’ No. 1-ranked prospect for a reason. Sure, he only played 26 games at the major league level, but in the minors last season, he put up an impressive .314 BA with an .880 OPS in 58 games. Defense? It’s a work in progress, but come on, the guy’s still young. He’s got five-tool potential written all over him.

Since Brett Gardner left after 2021, the Yankees have been on a chaotic merry-go-round in left field—Aaron Hicks, Joey Gallo, Clint Frazier, Alex Verdugo, you name it. Nobody stuck. But now? The stars are aligning for Dominguez in my opinion. Aaron Judge is back in right field, Cody Bellinger is locked in for center, and left field is wide open for “The Martian.”

If Dominguez delivers, he’s not just filling a gap; he’s redefining the position for the Yankees and helping replace Juan Soto’s production from 2024. Dominguez isn’t just another prospect. He’s the guy who could finally give the Yankees long-term stability in left field. Let’s give him the keys and watch him take off!

But seriously, Pete Alonso? Let’s not. We’ve got bigger, better plans. It’s all about Jasson now. Buckle up, Yankees fans—the future is here.

JUDGE EXTENDING HIS CAPTAINSHIP TO GARDY IS A CLASS ACT MOVE

You really can't beat Aaron Judge as a solid Yankee captain.  I was just reading about what Judge does when the Bleacher Creatures do roll call and it's unbelievable because everyone misses Brett Gardner. The Athletic writes:

"When it’s New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge’s turn to acknowledge the Bleacher Creatures during the roll call at Yankee Stadium, he turns toward them, bends his right knee and flexes with both his arms.

It’s an homage to Brett Gardner, one of his all-time favorite teammates who used the same salute. It’s also a reminder.

“I definitely don’t want people to forget him,” Judge said..."

It's true Cap. Gardner isn't dead and technically he's not retired, but Gardy's been out of sight for a while now.  His energy, his passion for the game for a while on the Yankees was unmatched and for Judge to tip his cap to one of the Yankees recent outfield greats, well, it's fantastic to see.

I miss Gardner and I don't really know where he's been. Hopefully he's happy, enjoying family and life, but I would love to see him at a Yankee event in the future.  

Class act move, Cap.

THE NEW YANKEE FAVORITE THAT CAN'T BE TRADED!

Sometimes you read something, and you just yell obscenities out loud because they don't make any sense! That's what I did yesterday. I am really curious to see what moves the Yankees will make at the trade deadline because they have been on fire. Literally anything is possible.... seriously, but one idea I read I'd file under EXTREMELY unlikely. 

So, something interesting caught my eye when I was reading The Athletic. They are also pondering what moves the Yankees will make. I think the Yankees have some opportunities in the infield specifically and the Athletic seems to agree also but they also included a possibility of moving Alex Verdugo! Yes, really.... you can check it out HERE.

I get that the Yankees signed him for one year and he's supposedly a stop gap until Jasson Dominguez is ready for a starting role but why the hell would you trade Verdugo? There are more upsides to keeping him on the team then there are to trade him!

The Yankees are on a good roll. They are doing better than I expected SO if they are really going for #28 this year WHY would you trade him? He's gritty and is thriving in New York! He's a solid lefty bat, plays phenomenal defense and fits in so well in that clubhouse. Seriously, this guy is a gamer and is afraid of nothing. We haven't had this kind of grit and determination in the outfield since Brett Gardner ruled the outfield and then would bang his bat on the dugout roof. Verdugo isn't intimidated by anything happening in the Bronx.

The Yankees have had a revolving door of mediocrity in the outfield since Gardner left and that's downplaying it when you consider Aaron Hicks and Joey Gallo overstayed their welcome out there. The Yankees were tied for LAST place last year in defensive runs saved and the Yankees are now at the top all thanks to Verdugo. He's robbing hitters out there consistently and he's a difference maker. Why would the Yankees want to mess with team chemistry? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I want the guy that says "I want to f***ing take everybody's hits" manning that outfield every game. He fits in with this team and he has earned his spot. The Yankees are buyers this summer not sellers. Why would they sell a difference maker?

Verdugo wants to f***ing take everyone's hit (and I love it) and I want to tell The Athletic that they are f***ing nuts!

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

OKAY, I LIKE VERDUGO

 

Source: The Athletic

Well, I was not thrilled when the Yankees picked up Alex Verdugo. His reputation preceded him with both the Dodgers and Red Sox clubhouses having something to say about his attitude. My concern was clear: would Verdugo carry a similar chip on his shoulder here in New York? But so far, he has shown his value and I have not seen any attitude at least in from my point of view. All I see is a guy that hustles, hits and adds a powerful punch to this Yankee team. So, okay, I like Verdugo.

“Honestly, man, it’s been really fun. I’ve found the fun again,” Verdugo said. “I really like the team. I really like my teammates. I really like just everything about this organization so far. When you’re happy somewhere, you just feel so much better when you’re playing and when you’re going through s—. I just think that’s what it is here,” reported The Athletic. 

Prior to his Yankee debut Verdugo had his bouts with former skipper Alex Cora and a variety of different concerns with the Dodgers. According to The Athletic,  "With the Dodgers, veteran pitcher Rich Hill admonished him for being late. His former Dodgers and Red Sox teammate, Kenley Jansen, said Verdugo had the potential to be a Hall of Fame player if he could ever get his act together. At the end of the 2022 season, Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters Verdugo was the No. 1 player who needed to take a step forward in 2023. His plea did not work. Cora benched Verdugo in the middle of a game last June for not hustling."

Source: AP

For the Yankees he has filled a whole sorely needed in the outfield. Although he is primarily in left field for the Bombers, he has played center field recently, serving as an outfield specialist and providing great depth for the Yankees. And with the bat, Verdugo has delivered. Even bringing in the 2024 battle cry or shall I say dawg bark to light up the energy in the dugout and on the field. Even roll callers are barking back at Dugie as his name is called in attendance by the faithful bleachers.

Source: MLB

“He’s just a complete player,” Judge said. “He’s a guy we’ve been looking for, a left fielder that’s left-handed and competes every single day. He competes every single day. He wants to play every single day. I told him the other day in the outfield that he’s one of the best left fielders besides Brett Gardner that I’ve played with,” reports The Athletic.

Verdugo can keep doing what he's doing: producing runs and a surmountable amount of energy to rival that produced by another fan favorite Juan Soto. Yeah, I like Verdugo. Stay focused, have fun and don't bring in any of that past banter. Do your job and we are all good, Alex. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

BOONE'S THEATER MEANS NOTHING IF HE'S NOT COMMANDING RESPECT

You know what I do when someone points a finger in my face in a ridiculous moment? I rip it off.  Who do you think you are Aaron Boone?

As ridiculous as it was for Brett Gardner to bang his bat on the top of the Yankee dugout a few years back, please tell me what the hell Aaron Boone was doing with his continued theatrical appearance of  

LET'S UNDERMINE THE UMPIRE ON TV BECAUSE I AM A MANAGER.  

By the way, I'd never go to a theater to see that flick. I wouldn't even see that off-off Broadway. And at a stadium, it would be funny for the moment until you actually think about how stupid it was.  It's clear Aaron Boone's disrespect for the game has reached new heights.  He's trash.

The Yankees are not great this year. This is a fact. You can preach, "Well players need to swing the bat and make their own destiny." Blah, blah, blah... we know all that.  Clearly there have been some signs of life in our offense recently because Sean Casey is there and that's good. But we need to keep this in the leadership realm. I have said this a million times... leaders make great teams. It's their philosophy, their mindset and their approach that brings out the best in teams.  It's pretty simple.   Having the title of manager means nothing if you don't know how to do it.

Phil Jackson. Joe Torre. Bruce Bochy. Vince Lombardi. Earl Weaver. Good leaders bring the team out of themselves to believe they can be unstoppable.  Good leaders find a way when times are tough. What they don't do is show their frustration card in front of a Yankee TV crowd and in an away ballpark and put on a show to not only embarrass their team, but to embarrass a fan base as well.  What a pathetic display of bad leadership.  It shows Aaron Boone's immaturity. It shows Aaron Boone is unfit to lead.

Think about your life for a second.  Think about the manager you have or had in the past.  Now think about that bad experience you had with a manager because I know you've all had a crap manager in your life at some point.  If a manager was constantly not available to speak to you or unwilling to give you positive re-enforcement, never tell you "Good job" or sit with you and talk about development and your future with the company and instead you sat in your cubicle all day wondering, what happens? You decay. You'd over think. You would wonder "am I any good?"  

Now think about that same manager doing that, but then when the president of the company comes around your office, that manager is smiling, kissing up to them, talking about all he or she does in that regional office, essentially taking all the credit and giving you none. How would that make you feel? Even worse.  

Now imagine a manager that has a team lunch once a week.  A manager that praises good work, constantly props you up, motivates you and the team and most of all, thanks you for your hard work.  Would you work harder for them knowing you are appreciated?    Look... life isn't always fair and sometimes work can be thankless, this is true.  But the point is it's all in a manager's approach.  You want to get the best out of your team.  Whether it's yelling but praising or just making sure the team knows they're keeping things steady, and profits are up, communication and approach is vital in leadership.  

Will it change things in the Yankee clubhouse if Boone was fired? Only if they go out and find experience and leadership and a guy that players will respect. Finding a guy that had one important Yankee highlight back in the early 2000s isn't cutting it.  You can suggest that firing Boone at the end of the season is just making him a Scapegoat all you want.  I say a changing of the guard proves a seriousness and a willingness to change this team for the better.

Aaron Boone strikes out Laz Díaz 😭 pic.twitter.com/kmiBvnXosa

— MLB Nerds (@MLBNerds) August 8, 2023

The New York Post writes:

"Aaron Boone made sure Laz Diaz knew the exact spot the latter blew two crucial strike calls.

Then he made sure to mock him on his way back to the clubhouse.

During the Yankees’ series-opening 5-1 loss to the White Sox on Monday evening, Boone blew a fuse on Diaz — the home plate umpire — over what appeared to be an egregious strike zone.... Volpe saw four pitches, although the called strikes did not appear out of the strike zone."

Look, if you know anything about baseball, you know you just don't argue balls and strikes. This unspoken rule stems back to Little League. You want the umpire to always give your team a fair shake, this is true... but sometimes you just know in that first inning that the umps not gonna be great.  And then, you turn to your team, and you say the magic words... "Blue's gonna be tough today, you need to make adjustments!" That's the game, folks. It's not always fair.  

Now look, knowing that, Boone need to read the freaking room.  But Aaron Boone doesn't read anything.  Boone may have been right about some pitches that were called strikes that really weren't last night, but he proceeded to not only embarrass the fans and team but take his team out of the game.  In baseball, sometimes you just don't get an umpire that's perfect and sometimes... many times, players need to adjust.  Baseball isn't about freebies.  There are plenty of things that happen in this game that aren't fair, but let's also be clear about something.  Blowing up and showing that you're trash for actual strike calls just makes you a Bozo.  Check out Kevin Kernan's Tweet! This is gold!

Here is a much better view of Boone’s ump imitation … BTW it was a strike Aaron. The plate was wide but not on this one @ Yankees https://t.co/4EyCL7yVdX

— Kevin Kernan (@AMBS_Kernan) August 8, 2023

Now look, Boone in the post-game chat with his team will tell them in a closed-door meeting about how much he will fight for his team, but what is that really showing a team that can't win consistently? The New York Yankees do not need theater... they need a boost in morale!  Get loose, go bowling, hire a stripper... do literally ANYTHING except putting on a show with umpires in the middle of Chicago because you think that's what a good manager should do.  Boone's pathetic... it's pretty obvious at this point.

Look, I'm beating a dead horse these days. I find my team to be hard to watch.  I still watch. I still root. I still believe they can get to the playoffs.  But I'm sick and tired of no one driving the leadership train.  

Leaders that command respect win.  Say that Boone's "epic" ejection was important all you want. Try and compare it to an Earl Weaver all you want. Say "Well Weaver was a loose cannon and fought with umpires all the time."  It's different.  Want to know why?  Championships. Weaver lead the O's to 4 titles. Three of them were in succession, from 1969 to 1971, and another in 1979. He also won a World Series in 1970. 

What's Boone's managerial record?

And ZERO championships.  

That crybaby act looks real fucked up now, doesn't it?

Do better.

THE ARRIVAL OF VOLPE & THE PASSING OF THE TORCH

I don't think I slept a WINK last night. The anticipation and excitement of Opening Day has always been a holiday affair for me. Now this year, we have the arrival of Anthony Volpe and I am so excited and I just can't hide it. If you hear someone squealing with excitement somewhere, there is a chance it is me.

We are about to watch a 21-year old kid with only 22 games at the Triple-A level take centerstage in the Bronx. When you think about that, it is bananas! This is very unusual for the Yankees. They like to let their young talent season down in the minors instead of bring them up at a young age with little time down in Triple-A. It just goes to show you how special this kid is to change the way the Yankees operate. This isn't the same organization that brought up a young 21 year old Derek Jeter.

And speaking of the former Captain, he sent a tweet congratulating Volpe in true Derek Jeter fashion.

He's the man that knows best, "there's nothing like playing shortstop for the New York Yankees."
Maybe one day, Volpe will have the same moment for another 21 year old kid. Scouts already say Volpe and Jeter have a lot of similarities, this is just a crazy coincidence. It's the beginning of a new era.

And now that Jeter has passed the torch from the once young shortstop to the next, we also have another passing of the torch. After wearing number 77 all through Sprint Training, Volpe will trade it in for number 11. After a brief disappearance, number 11 will be popular again.

Other than 0 (which will be worn by Domingo German), number 11 is the lowest jersey number that isn't retired and it was last worn by Brett Gardner between 2008-2021. Before making the switch, Volpe called Gardner who gave Volpe his blessing to wear his old number.

Hearing that gives me the chills. I have a different level of excitement going into this season. I can't explain it but I love the Volpe broke the typical Yankee mold and burst his way onto the scene. I love that even though he is so young, he carries himself like a seasoned big leaguer. He has the right attitude and I think he could be what this team has been missing for so long.

This really is the passing of the torch, a new era is here....and hopefully a long overdue championship comes with it.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj 

WHAT ELSE DOES ANTHONY VOLPE NEED PROVE?

Source: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

You can't browse social media or skim the latest headlines without seeing multiple mentions of Yankee phenom Anthony Volpe. In Saturday's game against the Phillies, Volpe batted leadoff and with four at bats he had three hits and scored three runs. On Friday, the Yankee top prospect also led off in a split squad game against the Twins with Gerrit Cole on the hill. Volpe went 1-4, and crushed his third home run of the spring—a 426-foot blast to the left field fences. At this point, with Opening Day just a mere five days away, my question is very simple—What Else Does Anthony Volpe Need to Prove? 

"If Volpe wins the job out of camp, the addition of a rookie to the Yankees Opening Day roster has significant historical context. Volpe would be the first rookie in the New York starting lineup on Opening Day since Aaron Judge and the fourth Yankee since 1951 to make his major league debut on Opening Day," reported Bryan Hoch via Yahoo Sports. And why the hell not? The Yankees need to be bold if they are going to break their 14 year drought of even making it to the World Series. By the way, that year, 2009, was the same year Brett Gardner made his debut starting on Opening Day. And guess what, my championship gear is ready for a makeover so there's that. 

“I guess [he’s been] everything we kind of expected and hoped for,” Boone said. “He’s looked the part. He’s come in and fit in really well, his work’s been excellent, and he’s gone out and performed. So he’s put himself in the mix, certainly,” reported The New York Post. 

Source: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Volpe has been consistent this spring, hitting .308/.438/.590 in his first 39 at-bats. The Yankees have placed him in the leadoff position recently and he has not failed them. He has speed, he has plate discipline and he is ready to contend from shortstop this season. If not now, then when? 

“There was so much excitement on my end to immerse myself in the clubhouse with the guys,” Volpe said on Friday in an interview with YES Network. “It’s been a big learning experience and going out to play has been a ton of fun, too. Watching guys' routines and seeing how they get ready for a game and the long haul of the season. It’s something I haven’t really been exposed to that much,” reported Yahoo Sports.

If the Yankees want to make a legitimate run for the championship this season then they need to consider that Volpe could be the spark this lineup needs to get there. Having him alongside his peers Oswald Peraza, and Oswaldo Cabrera and the new Yankee Captain Aaron Judge, provides a great opportunity for the second rise of the Yankee Baby Bombers—this time led by a former Baby Bomber. Now wouldn't that be something? What else does Anthony Volpe need to prove? In my mind, absolutely nothing. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof