THE BUCK STOPS EVERYWHERE BUT HAL STEINBRENNER'S DESK.

Seven years. Seven seasons. Seven variations of the same tired excuse. And somehow, the man who owns the New York Yankees still hasn't figured out who is ultimately responsible.

Hal Steinbrenner, the problem isn't just the players. The problem is YOU. Let's review the annual State of the Excuses.

2020: The offense was inconsistent.

2021: The responsibility belonged to the players.

2022: Aaron Boone wasn't responsible for the offensive collapse.

2023: Run production was the biggest problem.

2024: The Yankees didn't play a clean World Series.

2025: The Toronto series was on the players. They didn't hit.

2026: Once again, the majority of the responsibility belongs to the position players and their inability to score consistently.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

At what point does the man signing the checks, approving the roster, retaining the general manager, and overseeing this entire operation look in the mirror? At what point does Hal Steinbrenner stop conducting the same postseason autopsy and realize HE'S THE ONE RUNNING THE HOSPITAL?

You want to blame the players? Fine. Some deserve blame. You want to criticize the offense? Absolutely. You want to point out sloppy baseball, terrible baserunning, poor execution, and disappearing bats in October? Go right ahead.

BUT WHO KEEPS BUILDING THIS TEAM?

Who continues to entrust Brian Cashman with the blueprint? Who continues to accept the same organizational philosophy? Who keeps watching the same fundamental problems surface year after year and then acts surprised when the season ends in disappointment?

YOU DO, HAL. YOU.

This is the New York Yankees. Not some small-market experiment where simply reaching October is cause for a parade.

This is the franchise of Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, Berra, Munson, Mattingly, Jeter, Rivera, and your father, George Steinbrenner.

Your father wasn't perfect. Far from it. He could be impatient, demanding, unreasonable, and downright impossible. But there was one thing nobody ever questioned. GEORGE STEINBRENNER HATED LOSING MORE THAN HE LOVED MAKING EXCUSES.

He understood that owning the Yankees meant something. It meant accountability. It meant urgency. It meant that when the same problems kept showing up, you didn't simply change the wording of your annual press conference. YOU CHANGED THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THEM. And that's what makes this entire situation so infuriating.

Hal talks about inconsistency as though he's a helpless spectator watching the Yankees from his living room. He's not a spectator. HE OWNS THE DAMN TEAM.

You cannot spend seven consecutive seasons identifying the same failures while refusing to seriously question the leadership responsible for them.

That's not accountability.

That's organizational complacency dressed up as postseason analysis.

And Yankee fans are tired of it.

Tired of being told the talent is there. Tired of hearing about potential. Tired of watching October expose weaknesses that were obvious in May. Tired of hearing that everyone needs to be better while the people at the top continue operating as though nothing fundamentally needs to change.

Here's something Hal needs to understand.

ACCOUNTABILITY ISN'T SOMETHING YOU DEMAND ONLY FROM THE MEN WEARING PINSTRIPES. IT STARTS WITH THE MAN WHO OWNS THEM.

You inherited the most recognizable brand in professional baseball. A franchise built on championships, expectations, pride, and the absolute refusal to accept mediocrity. And somewhere along the way, it feels like the standard shifted from winning the World Series to simply being competitive enough to keep selling the product.

That is not the Yankee standard. And it never should be.

So, spare us another speech about the offense. Spare us another lecture about the players needing to execute. Spare us another October explanation that sounds suspiciously like the one we heard the year before.

WE'VE HEARD IT, HAL. FOR SEVEN YEARS, WE'VE HEARD IT. The players change. The seasons change. The excuses barely change. But the owner, the general manager, and the culture of avoiding meaningful consequences remain. And until that changes, why should anyone believe the results will? George Steinbrenner built a reputation on demanding answers. Hal Steinbrenner has built a reputation on repeating excuses.

That might be the saddest difference of all.

THE NEW YORK YANKEES DON'T NEED ANOTHER EXPLANATION. THEY NEED LEADERSHIP.

And Hal, after seven years of pointing fingers, maybe it's finally time to point one at yourself.

BLEEDING YANKEE BLUE

Because pinstripes are supposed to stand for something. You're delusional and have lose your way.

A WORLD IN WHICH ANTHONY RIZZO IS OUR YANKEES MANAGER

I’ll admit it: sometimes I catch myself daydreaming about the glorious day Aaron Boone finally gets canned. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not cheering against the Yankees — I’m cheering against their manager. Boone’s brand of “leadership” has been little more than press conference word salad paired with in-game mismanagement. The man has made the Yankees allergic to consistency. This team doesn’t play with urgency unless their backs are stapled to the wall, and that’s a reflection of a manager who has spent years lowering the bar.

What I’m waiting for is that perfect “not good enough” moment — when Hal Steinbrenner takes a look at his bottom line and realizes he only made millions this year instead of billions. That’s when I want him to say, “Boone, you’re gone.” And with Anthony Rizzo’s retirement announcement, I couldn’t help but think: what if Rizzo is the guy who finally replaces him?

Here’s the thing about Rizzo — he’s the anti-Boone. Rizzo has leadership in his bones. He was never just a first baseman; he was a clubhouse general, a player guys rallied around. He wasn’t just about stats (though, let’s be clear, his career had plenty of those too). He was about presence, about grit, about setting a tone. Even through struggles and injuries, he commanded respect. That’s something Boone has never once inspired in pinstripes. Boone gets eye-rolls; Rizzo got buy-in.

Rizzo’s résumé speaks for itself: four Gold Gloves, a Platinum Glove, a Silver Slugger, three All-Star nods, the Roberto Clemente Award, and of course his role in the Cubs’ 2016 World Series — a championship that ended a 108-year drought and cemented him as a legend in Chicago. And let’s not forget, the Yankees got the benefit of his leadership too. He may not have been the same hitter in the later years of his career — the concussion robbed him of that — but his influence in the clubhouse was always there. Rizzo wasn’t just a player, he was a culture-setter.

Contrast that with Boone, whose managerial style feels like it was downloaded from a malfunctioning analytics spreadsheet. His bullpen decisions alone could qualify as a new form of baseball torture. He’s the king of excuses, the maestro of mediocrity, the pilot of a ship that keeps circling the drain. Under his so-called guidance, the Yankees are on the verge of missing the playoffs again — and somehow we’re supposed to keep pretending he’s the right man for the job?

Now imagine Rizzo in that dugout, not with a glove but with a lineup card. Picture him commanding respect, actually holding players accountable, and bringing that edge that’s been missing since the Joe Torre days. The Yankees don’t need a cheerleader clapping in the dugout; they need a leader who players want to follow. Rizzo fits that mold perfectly.

Look, my dream scenario is still Don Mattingly as manager with Jorge Posada as his right-hand man — that’s pure Yankee nostalgia heaven. But if Rizzo is ready to trade in his batting gloves for a manager’s uniform, I’d take him in a heartbeat. He has the pedigree, the credibility, and the leadership chops Boone has never had.

Rizzo will forever be a Cubs legend, no doubt about it. But what if his second act is in the Bronx, not as a player, but as the man who rescues the Yankees from Boone’s clown show of a tenure? That wouldn’t just be an upgrade — it would be a revolution.

THE BATTLE OF THE MULLET

In the long, dramatic, pinstriped history of the New York Yankees, there are stories of towering home runs, perfect games, postseason miracles, and then… there’s the tale of Don Mattingly’s hair. Yes, his hair. Not his bat. Not his back. Not even his mustache. Just his business-in-the-front, party-in-the-back mullet that dared to defy a billion-dollar empire.

It was 1991, and the Yankees were a hot mess. The postseason hadn’t been seen in the Bronx since Reagan’s first term, and the only thing more rigid than the Yankees’ offense was George Steinbrenner’s grooming policy. Enter Don Mattingly, the team's captain, a six-time All-Star, MVP, Gold Glove machine—and owner of a magnificent mullet that practically needed its own locker.

George Steinbrenner had a rulebook, and unlike most owners, he actually read it. The rules were simple: No facial hair below the lip. No long hair. No individuality that wasn’t pre-approved by the front office. Basically, if you looked like you might play guitar in a bar band on weekends, you were violating club policy.

Donnie Baseball, clearly not a fan of acoustic conformity, let his hair grow a bit past regulation. Nothing too wild—just a little business-casual rebellion. Then came Stump Merrill, the manager at the time, who found himself in the unfortunate position of being Steinbrenner’s style police. Stump told Mattingly to cut his hair or sit on the bench. Mattingly, being Mattingly, refused.

And so the Yankees benched their captain. Over hair.

The media had an absolute field day. Newspapers dubbed it “The Battle of the Mullet,” which honestly sounds like an off-brand pro wrestling pay-per-view. TV crews descended on the Stadium as if the Yankees had just signed Babe Ruth’s ghost. Fans were confused. Children wept. Stylists everywhere sharpened their scissors.

Steinbrenner, never one to back away from a good PR firestorm (he practically set them for warmth), leaned all the way in. In one of the more bizarre moments in Yankees broadcast history, Phil Rizzuto, Bobby Murcer, and Tom Seaver took to the WPIX pregame show to spoof the drama. Rizzuto, with clippers in hand, pretended to be Steinbrenner’s personal enforcer-barber. It was performance art, really. Three legends of the game riffing on their boss’s obsession with follicles.

Mattingly didn’t think it was funny. Publicly, he cracked a few smiles. Privately, he was fuming. He was the team captain, for crying out loud. He wasn’t some kid showing up late to rookie camp with dreadlocks and a backwards hat. He was Donnie freaking Baseball—the guy kids imitated in their backyards and whose mustache should be in Cooperstown by itself. And yet, here he was, benched over a mullet.

It got so bad that Mattingly briefly considered asking for a trade. From the Yankees. Because of hair. Somewhere out there, an 11-year-old future Derek Jeter probably said, “Wait, I’m not allowed to grow my sideburns either?”

But no story this goofy stays hidden from pop culture. Enter The Simpsons.

In the legendary 1992 episode “Homer at the Bat,” Mattingly appears as one of Mr. Burns’ recruited ringers. In a scene that can only be described as animated perfection, Mr. Burns demands Mattingly shave his sideburns—repeatedly. Mattingly insists he already has, but Burns screams, “You’re off the team, for good!” 

It was a brilliant, spot-on jab at the real-life hairgate, and Mattingly’s deadpan delivery made it even better. The man got benched in a cartoon again. This time, by a yellow billionaire with liver spots.

And yet, despite the absurdity, something kind of beautiful happened over time.

There’s no evidence that Mattingly and Steinbrenner ever became besties who went shopping for buzzers at CVS together, but they found peace in their own grumpy way. George, for all his eccentricities, admired work ethic and loyalty more than anything. And Mattingly, despite the mullet mutiny, never stopped giving 100 percent. Eventually, the two developed a working relationship built on—you guessed it—mutual respect.

When Mattingly retired in 1995, he was still the Yankees’ captain, still beloved by the fans, and still rocking a little extra length in the back. And years later, when he returned as a coach, there was no talk of hair—just hitting.

So while Mattingly never won a World Series ring with the Yankees, he did win something far more important: a cultural moment. A slice of Bronx folklore. A legacy that includes Gold Gloves, a retired number, and a full-on hair-based standoff with the most controlling owner in sports history.

George Steinbrenner wanted everyone in uniform, clean-cut, regulation-perfect. Don Mattingly just wanted to let it grow a little.

And for one glorious, silly, headline-making stretch in the early '90s, Donnie’s mullet led the league in defiance.

And honestly? That’s the most Yankee thing of all.

--Alvin Izzo
BYB Yankee History Contributor

SOMETIMES THE YANKEE HAIR POLICY STRIPS THE BALLS FROM CERTAIN PLAYERS...

Let's hope it doesn't happen to Devin Williams.

The Yankees’ hair policy has been a topic of debate for years, and honestly, I’m all for it because I love tradition. The Yankees are baseball’s version of a classic black tuxedo—clean, sharp, timeless. No names on the back of the jerseys. No wild hair or unruly beards. Just a uniform, in every sense of the word. Some fans adore it, others despise it. And let’s be real—there are definitely players who can’t stand it either.

Now, here’s the thing: hair matters. You think it doesn’t, but it does. It’s psychological. Some guys wear their hair like a badge of honor, like it holds some kind of baseball superpower. When a player walks into Yankee Stadium with a full-on lumberjack beard and walks out looking like he just enlisted in the military, it does something to him. Maybe he doesn’t pitch the same. Maybe he doesn’t hit the same. Maybe he looks in the mirror and doesn’t even recognize himself. It’s like stripping Superman of his cape and telling him to get over it. That’s not how this works.

Take Brian Wilson, for example. His beard wasn’t just facial hair—it was a whole personality. It was a movement. The guy looked like he belonged in a biker gang, and it worked for him. When the Yankees considered signing him, Brian Cashman didn’t even hesitate: “You can cross him off the list.” Why? Because Wilson refused to shave. That’s how serious this policy is.

And then there’s Don Mattingly. In 1991, the Yankees actually fined and benched him until he cut his hair. Imagine that. A guy could be batting .400, but if his sideburns got a little too ambitious, he was riding the pine. Andrew McCutchen later admitted that the rule made him uncomfortable during his time with the Yankees. Joba Chamberlain, a Yankee from 2007 to 2013, straight-up said he got kicked out of the dugout once and told to go shave.

So here we are, and history repeats itself. Enter Williams, the latest player to take on the Yankees’ razor-wielding tradition. He showed up to spring training with a beard, looking like his normal self. And then? Poof. By the time he started throwing, he was clean-shaven and looking like a different guy entirely. “I feel naked,” he admitted, according to Randy Miller of the Newark Star-Ledger. And honestly, I believe him.

But here’s what worries me: Williams will play ball, but what I don’t want is for him to lose his power. You know what I mean? The Yankees front office will roll their eyes and say, “It’s just superstition, get over it.” But that’s the thing—players are superstitious. They believe in this stuff. And when you strip them of something that makes them feel like themselves, you risk messing with their confidence, their swagger, their mojo.

Look, I get the tradition. I respect it. But baseball is a game built on rituals, weird habits, and unexplained magic. Some guys eat the same meal before every game. Some won’t step on the foul line. Some swear their batting gloves have good luck. And some? Some believe their hair is part of what makes them great. Sometimes, even the Yankees need to bend a little. Otherwise, what happens when a guy loses his beard and takes the mound feeling like a shell of his former self? That’s a risk no team should want to take.

Let's see what happens.

WHY IS NO ONE TALKING ABOUT BEN RICE AT FIRST?

Forget Anthony Rizzo. He’s not walking through that clubhouse door again—at least not in pinstripes. The Yankees have a hole at first base, and while the fanbase is busy drawing up wild free-agent wish lists, the most logical solution is already in the building. Enter Ben Rice, the Yankees’ unassuming yet intriguing in-house option who could be the answer to this pressing question.

Sure, Rice didn’t exactly light the Bronx on fire in 2024, but the tools, the potential, and the pedigree are all there. And let’s face it: the Yankees might not have the financial bandwidth to splurge on a first baseman if they’re going all-in on a certain lefty slugger named Juan Soto. That’s where Rice steps in—cheap, controllable, and brimming with potential.

Is our first baseman hiding in plain sight?  Ben Rice’s first stint in the majors was... let’s call it a learning experience.  As Empire Sports Media points out, a 73 wRC+ over 178 plate appearances aren’t going to make anyone scream, “There’s the next Don Mattingly!” But let’s not write the eulogy just yet.

Bad luck and small sample sizes played a role in those struggles. He made strong contact, showed patience at the plate, and proved he wasn’t overwhelmed by big-league pitching. With only 109 balls in play during his debut, there’s simply not enough data to justify abandoning ship.

Besides, look at his minor league track record:174 wRC+ in Triple-A over 138 plate appearances.
155 wRC+ in Double-A.  Those numbers are good. The guy wasn’t just hitting; he was destroying pitching at every level.

So, why should the Yankees roll with Rice at first base in 2025? Let me count the ways.

1. He’s Already Here: You know who doesn’t need a $200 million contract? Ben Rice. You know who doesn’t require a trade package of five prospects? Ben Rice. The Yankees have already invested in him, and he’s waiting for his shot.

2. The Yankees Can’t Keep Spending Like It’s Monopoly: If the front office locks in Juan Soto this offseason (and they should), there won’t be piles of cash left to throw at first base. Rice is a cost-effective option with a potentially high reward. Who doesn’t love a budget-friendly success story?

3. Even a Little Progress Would Be Huge: Rice doesn’t need to become the second coming of Lou Gehrig to be valuable. Even a league-average bat at first base would be a marked improvement over the underwhelming production the Yankees got from Rizzo in the last two seasons.

4. Upside, Upside, Upside: His power is legit. His swing decisions are sharp. His contact rates are better than advertised. If he gets the reps and the confidence, there’s every reason to believe Rice can grow into a productive big-leagues.

Let’s be real: Anthony Rizzo had a fantastic career, but his time as a productive Yankee ended long before his contract did. With his departure, the Yankees can finally stop papering over first base and give someone else a shot.

Rice is already in the family. He knows the system, he’s got the tools, and he’s got something to prove. Why go fishing for an overpriced free agent when you might already have the answer in-house?

If Rice struggles, what’s the downside? The Yankees can pivot midseason or make a trade if necessary. But if Rice succeeds—and the minor-league dominance suggests he might—the Yankees have a first baseman locked in for pennies on the dollar.

There’s no need to panic. Baseball’s beauty lies in its unpredictability, and Rice has earned the chance to show what he can do over a full season.

Sure, it’s easy to look at his 2024 MLB numbers and doubt him. But Rice deserves more than 50 games to prove himself in my opinion. Baseball isn’t a sport for knee-jerk reactions (even if it makes us want to yell the loudest ones). I feel like the Yankees invested in him, and he’s shown at every level of the minors that he has the talent to succeed. Let the kid fly.

First base doesn’t need a superstar—it needs a solution. Rice could be that solution, and the Yankees owe it to themselves to find out.

So, as the offseason chatter heats up, remember the name: Ben Rice. He’s young, hungry, and already in the Yankees’ family. Who needs a flashy free agent when you’ve got a diamond in the rough waiting to shine?

AARON JUDGE AMONG THE GREATEST EVER

As I stated in AARON JUDGE IS JUST A GOLDEN GOD just a few short days ago, there is just something very special watching a player as incredible as Aaron Judge in the modern era.  You hear about the moments and stories about guys like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Ty Cobb, etc.  But we never really see that in baseball today.  Sure, there are glimpses of true greatness and mammoth home runs, but it's a moment in time.  This year however we are seeing consistency with what I can safely say is the greatest player in the modern Yankee era and something you all will be speaking fondly off when you're old and gray like me.  It's special to see Aaron Judge not only lead with dignity and integrity, but to see his home run pace year after year is absolutely wild.

Now, he will no doubt be added to a list that only a few have seen.  It's just plain crazy and incredible. The New York Post writes:

"Aaron Judge stands a pretty good chance of becoming the fifth player ever to hit 50 homers in three different seasons.

Mark McGwire, Babe Ruth and Sammy Sosa did it four times each and Alex Rodriguez three. Thus, Judge is in line to join Ruth as the only players to achieve this feat who are not tied to illegal performance enhancers.

It is another sign — regardless of your baseball morality — that Judge is climbing all kinds of lists. Next year, he will be playing in a 10th season, which will make him — when the time comes — eligible for the Hall of Fame. The key part of that previous sentence is “when the time comes” because it seems reasonable that Judge is going to extend his prime longer and mount a no-brainer case for Cooperstown, in case you think he is not there yet."

Not to get ahead of ourselves, but how do you not talk about it?  Yes, there were guys like Mattingly, Mantle, DiMaggio and Jeter is our lifetime and all were dynamic.  But this is a whole new level.

I wish all the best to this role model and true leader.  Judge is very, very special.

AARON JUDGE IS JUST A GOLDEN GOD

I have never seen a baseball player in the modern era that comes up almost every time and does something special. Let me rephrase, I have, but it doesn't happen often. After all, baseball is hard. 

I remember the days of Don Mattingly and I was always amazed by how he'd keep his average in the 300s year after year and it was always impressive to me.  Now, all these years later I see guys like Juan Soto and Aaron Judge continually do great things for this Yankee team.  But for me, Judge is just a freak. I don't know how he does it.  

Last night Judge led the Yankees to victory again with the help of Gerrit Cole, this time with a 3-0 victory against the Tigers.   But more to that, he's already hit his 44th home run. I mean are you kidding me?

The AP writes:

"Judge hit his major league-leading 44th home run and Gerrit Cole struck out eight in six innings as the New York Yankees beat the Detroit Tigers 3-0 on Friday night.... New York won its third straight and took a one-game lead in the AL East over Baltimore, which lost 12-10 to Boston."

It is something that we talk about when we hear about stories of Babe Ruth or Mickey Mantle. Those moments in time that are just historically incredible in this sport, and we are witnessing it now in real time, a really special treat for any sports fan and especially for kids that think that the days of Ruth are folklore. The truth is big players, really special players do exist, and Aaron Judge is that guy for this generation and it's wonderful to see.

Yanks win another one.  Can they keep this up? Damn, I hope so.

PRAISE FOR JAZZ FROM A FORMER YANKEE WE ALL LOVE

Everyone in the Bronx loves Jazz Chisholm right about now. His energy alone is the greatest gift we can have, but he's also being super productive and we as Yankees fans kind of credit that with this recent, terrific run. Remember, just recently the Yanks had an awful losing stretch, but again... Jazz wasn't there.  Now he is and all feels right in the world. 

One former Yankee great, and now Blue Jays manager loves the energy Jazz brings... and that's because he used to manage him in Miami.  Legend Don Mattingly.

The New York Post writes:

"Jazz is perfect. By all accounts and that perpetual smile, he loves the attention, the notoriety and the fans — yes, the very things missing in Miami.

“He likes the lights,” Yankees great Don Mattingly, his longtime Marlins manager and now a Jays coach, told The Post. “He’s fearless.”

Jazz was the right guy because he was practically the only guy to get."

Besides what I already see with the eye test, I gotta tell you that getting an endorsement like that from Mattingly is just plain awesome.

THE WORST YANKEE RUNNING PLAY EVER STILL RIDICULOUS ALL THESE YEARS LATER

In the annals of baseball history, certain moments stand out for their sheer improbability, and then there’s the August 2, 1985-debacle involving the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox. This incident, which saw Bobby Meacham and Dale Berra both tagged out at home plate by the indomitable Carlton Fisk within seconds of each other, is often hailed (or rather, lamented) as one of the most spectacular running blunders in Yankees history.

It all began with Rickey Henderson at the plate, the Yankees’ formidable speedster. Henderson had already established himself as a prolific leadoff hitter and base-stealing legend. On this particular evening, however, his role in one of the Yankees' most calamitous plays would eclipse his usual on-field heroics. With Meacham on second and Berra on first, Henderson cracked a deep drive to center field. The ball looked poised to cause trouble for the White Sox outfielders and, indeed, it did.

As Henderson’s hit soared, Meacham and Berra took off like they had rockets in their cleats. Third base coach Gene Michael, affectionately known as “Stick” for his lanky build, saw an opportunity to get both runners home. What ensued was nothing short of a circus.

Meacham rounded third with Berra hot on his heels. At that moment, it became clear that the communication between runners and coach had gone disastrously awry. Michael, in a decision that would be questioned for decades to come, waved both runners home. As they neared the plate, Carlton Fisk, the White Sox catcher, stood like a fortress ready to thwart their attempts.

Outfielder Luis Salazar relayed the ball to shortstop Ozzie Guillén, who in turn fired it to Fisk. Meacham arrived first, sliding into home where Fisk applied the tag with clinical precision. Before the crowd's collective gasp could dissipate, Berra barreled towards the plate. Fisk, still firmly in possession of the ball, made a swift pivot and tagged Berra out too. Two Yankees out at home plate in the span of mere seconds – a sight so rare it left spectators and players alike rubbing their eyes in disbelief.

The reactions from the Yankees dugout ranged from stunned silence to exasperated facepalms. "I've never seen anything like it," said Yankees manager Billy Martin, shaking his head. "It was like watching a car crash in slow motion – you know it's going to be bad, but you just can't look away."

Don Mattingly, who had a front-row seat to the chaos, quipped, "I thought I was seeing double. It’s like a bad dream you just can’t wake up from."

This play, despite its comedic appearance, became a somber lesson in the importance of communication and timing in baseball. It also underscored the unpredictable nature of the sport – where even the most seasoned professionals can find themselves part of a moment destined for blooper reels and trivia questions for generations.

For the Yankees, it was a stark reminder that even with talent and speed, the game can humble you in the most unexpected ways. For fans, it remains a legendary tale, retold with equal parts amusement and disbelief.

As we look back, we can laugh, wince, and perhaps learn a little something about the intricacies of baseball – and life. The double-out debacle of August 2, 1985, is a poignant reminder that in the game of baseball, anything is possible, even the patently absurd.

--Alvin Izzo

BYB Yankee History Contributor

BRONX PANIC! CONFIDENT, HARD-NOSED MANAGER NEEDED!

No one, not even Yankee brass believes the Yankees have a shot this year.  I mean look... I am a big Yankee fan. I was there in the days of the last place Yankees in 1990. Days were dark, but I didn't walk away then and I'm not walking away now.  The difference is we can make moves to improve and not sell away key players to get huge name rentals. All we need to do is to inject a little energy into the team... a few pieces.... a third baseman.... an outfielder.... both with some pop. Both with some confidence. I believe that will turn it around.

But I gotta say the fan base giving up with 50 plus games left is ridiculous.  It's disappointing and it's shocking.  Joel Sherman of the New York Post says this about some names on the flip list. Guys like Harrison Bader and Luis Severino, IKF and Wandy Peralta.  But who the hell would want those guys right now? Other than Peralta and maybe IKF, they're worthless. And let's be honest, is that selling or unloading weak players? 

The Yankees time is up when it comes to excellence.  Right now, the best thing they need to do is improve to get by... get into the playoffs and finish this season with the idea that the off season will be huge for them.  But to give up with 50 plus games left is ridiculous. We still have a shot... slim, but a shot.

Like... who is running this team?  

Is anyone truly paying attention? Hal made a statement a short time ago and fired loser Dillon Lawson.  He was no hitting coach... he was a fan boy who liked hanging around the Yankees and had no clue about mechanics and adjustments. That had to happen. But as I have said many times before, he needed to go further. He needed to fire Aaron Boone. 

Now you can say that the constant losing is not Boone's fault that this team just sucks, but I'll suggest to you that sometimes-subliminal moves change a team's approach.  I strongly believe that seeing Boone fired would have been a severe wake up call for this Yankees team.  It would have showed that Hal Steinbrenner was serious about winning. It would have showed the team they needed to wake the F up.  But that didn't happen and then to make matters worse, Cashman came out to the media to let everyone know that Boone's job was safe.  Talk about bursting an entire fan base's bubble. The Yankees seem to forget that they work for us. We pay to see their games, buy their shitty food and suffer through shitty seasons like this one.  Fans want theirs.  

Then of course I'll circle back on that ultimate question.  Do you give up on this team?  Well, great question, but I already know my answer.  

No.

I watched the Yankees since the 1970's.  I watched Ron Guidry strike out 18... saw Reggie Jackson become an absolute monster at the plate. I saw Don Mattingly bat .300 multiple times with hair longer than his collar line, a rebel, and I watched a kid named Derek Jeter show up and win 5 championships.  But one thing those guys all had with those teams was support from the top. 

It might not have always looked pretty with the Billy Martins and Clyde Kings and Joe Torres of our Yankee history, and sure, George Steinbrenner was a lunatic, but he owned that team like a fan.  He wanted to win... he wanted to win all the time and if he didn't, he fired the manager.  Why? Because the manager runs the show. The manager puts the lineups together... the manager doesn't coddle; they tell it like it is.  A manager is not a friend, he's the leader of the team.  And if the players don't respect the manager, the manager benches those players until they do.  Boone is not a respected manager. Aaron Boone would have never been hired by George Steinbrenner because Boone doesn't command respect. He's weak.

What world do we live in that we have hot players in hitting streaks benched for rest? What world do we live in where we need to start a winning streak, Judge returns, homers and gets rested the next day?  The Yankees now need to sprint.  There is no more marathon mentality Mr. Boone... we are past that.  

Urgency is important now.  Fighting to win is vital now.  I think every Yankee fan would appreciate it more if we went balls out to try and stumble into the playoffs than win 1 game every 4 because players need to rest.  It is the absolute worst managing style I have ever seen.  

In the end, I will continue to root. I will continue to throw shit at my TV, and I will continue to remind all of you that being a hardnosed tough player is out the window if you're watching baseball in the Bronx.  The Yankees are now soft because of soft leadership. A definite trickle down from Boone to his players. Sure, I'll continue to root, but I'm rooting for my players and for that uniform.  I refuse to praise loser Boone. He has done nothing for this team but to make excuses.

When it gets hard... when you need to juggle injury and personality and rest, THAT IS WHEN YOU SEE HOW GOOD YOUR MANAGER IS. It is clear Aaron Boone is nothing but a puppet for this Yankee organization.  I cannot wait until this season ends so Hal can prove to the entire MLB and Yankee fan base that this horrible Aaron Boone experiment failed.

#FireBoone. 

BREAKING: WHAT CASHMAN JUST SAID ABOUT AARON BOONE'S JOB

Seriously. The 2023 Yankees are absolutely a situation comedy from the 1980s- Family Ties meets Growing Pains. Maybe it's Silver Spoons with baby Boone getting to keep his job because he is presumably from baseball royalty? Is anyone providing Aaron Boone feedback on his performance appraisal? Does he have to reflect on his goals mid-way through the season? Because guess what? Brian Cashman says it's not Boone's fault that the team he has assembled can't seem to get their act together long enough to do hard things and win consistently. And therefore, his job is safe.

Source: Joe Puetz-USA TODAY Sports

"Cashman still considers Boone an excellent manager and is said not to blame him for the team’s recent struggles. It is extremely difficult to imagine the front office wanting to move on from Boone after the season, even if the Yankees fail to reach the postseason; the one unknown there is what owner Hal Steinbrenner would do in that scenario,"according to Andy Martino of SNY. 

I don't know any scenario that Hal's dad would let this nonsense go on. In George Steinbrenner days, Boone would have been sent packing in 2021, maybe earlier. The team is not fun to watch. Boone sounds like a baby in pre and post-game conferences not to mention during games and it appears that the organization is complacent with "almost" winning.

"Hot mics at the Yankee game on Wednesday caught a fan yelling for the Yankees to fire Aaron Boone and replace him with franchise legend Don Mattingly, who is currently a part of the Blue Jays coaching staff following a prolonged managerial stint with the Marlins," reported WFAN. Although Gio from the Gio and Boomer Show vehemently disagrees. “Don Mattingly is not going to be the manager of the Yankees. I cannot see that happening,” Gio said. “If I’m him, I don’t want that job."

Let's face it. The Yankees have not changed their formula since Derek Jeter retired. In YANKEES MASQUERADING AS A CONTENDER SINCE JETER RETIRED! we dig deeper into the Yankees smoke and mirror masquerades since 2014. It's fair to say that if the Yankees as an organization continue to play these games with fans, they will need more than Stark Insurance to ensure they have enough money to pay their aging players' salaries.

If I came to work day after day and was unable to move the needle in the right the direction linked to my company aligned goals, I would be gone. What makes Boone special? What goals are he achieving? At some point you have to consider that the players follow the instructions given to them through lineup cards, coaches and trainers. Someone needs to take ownership for loss after loss. If we are in a world of continuous growth and improvement, where resources are used to reach and exceed goals, then why is Aaron Boone still the manager of the Yankees now and perhaps in the foreseeable future? Not really sure what else to say but, are you serious, Hal Steinbrenner? 

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

SEAN CASEY TO THE RESCUE

I find it amazing and refreshing that the guy who has the ideas, the vision and the confidence on how to turn this Yankee team around is from the newly hired hitting coach and not from within the Yankee organization itself. Don't you?

I also find it strange that we've been staring at this offense problem for months and guys like Aaron Boone and Dillon Lawson were bumbling idiots in front of the mic and this Casey guy shows up and drips with confidence that makes me want to buy a Reds, Casey jersey and wear it to Yankee stadium as a symbol of change.  Right now... before anything has even happened, I feel like this fit could be amazing for this Yankees club.

Bryan Hoch has been working his tail off bringing us some pretty significant nuggets in regard to Sean Casey's plan... and they're coming from Casey's mouth. He's even going to include an upcoming zoom press conference.  But the biggest, most significant nugget comes with the subliminal offering of why he's sporting a new mustache.

Sean Casey is holding a Zoom press conference. He said that he is sporting a mustache for the first time in his life to honor his boyhood idol, Don Mattingly. pic.twitter.com/yLqzbkRsvF

— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) July 12, 2023

Here's the thing; many of you will not see it like I see it and that's perfectly fine. I find the ideas, the energy very refreshing, and I know that Sean Casey can be the difference in helping turn the Yankees hitting around.  

We have no idea if it will work yet. But put it in perspective with your own life in your own company and your job... a new manager comes in with a new vision, new ideas and high energy... and most of all, he's willing to work with all of you in the office to make that vision become reality.  

Are you going to poo poo that? Or are you going to be one of those team members that buys into it because every voice is heard, and the leader can bring you all together?  For me, I buy in... and that is what I feel like is happening here.  

There are 2 things happening right now with the great Sean Casey. For one, he's extending some comfort to the Yankee audience.  

"Here's my mustache, you love Mattingly, I loved Mattingly growing up. Let's connect." I'm paraphrasing here but a subtle moment like that is a definite buy-in for any fan.  

Second, we want to make sure our hitting coach is going to work hard to fix our offense. Dillon Lawson didn't work, like literally.  It's now being reported that the Yankees wanted him out last winter... but they couldn't get it together.  But now we have a new guy, and Casey is already talking with the players, sharing ideas, listening to player ideas and approaches and not only that, he's using the reporters like Bryan Hoch and other New York media to keep us updated.

New #Yankees hitting coach Sean Casey said that he has had lengthy chats with Aaron Judge, Josh Donaldson, Anthony Rizzo, Harrison Bader & Anthony Volpe already. Casey said that he senses there has been "tension" among the Yanks' hitters.

— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) July 12, 2023

 Again... a reach to the fans, but also to the team as if to say, "I do my job 100% and I'm gonna prove it to you."  Again... paraphrasing, but there's no doubt this guy's about turning this team around. It's very noble and trust me... the energy is contagious.

Look, I have no idea what will happen with Sean Casey. In a perfect world he is the perfect leader in the Bronx so much so that they ditch Boone for this guy eventually.  But right now the fix is to get the Yankees hitting, and I feel good going into the second half.  

Let's hope this is a good marriage... to me, it's exciting.

YANKEE FANS CAN GET A SIGNIFICANT RODON UPDATE HERE!

I don't believe it. I just do NOT believe it.  I hope this guy isn't out all season, I'm starting to get antsy. It looks like Rodon's come back from injury could be on hold even longer. I just threw up in my mouth.

Fansided writes:

"Fans in the Bronx are still waiting for their high-priced acquisition to throw his first pitch of the season.

Rodon began the year on the injured list with a left forearm injury. The Yankees were hopeful it would only sideline him for a few weeks. The latest news on the 30-year-old southpaw further delays his potential Yankees debut. Stiffness in Rodon's back has pushed his progress back "a few days" according to manager Aaron Boone."

A few things here. First off, Boone is saying "a few days" but Boone is the puppet of this crew. He says what Yankee management want him to say. He has no insight.  So that's one.

Two is back issues when it comes to pitchers scare the hell out of me. It bothered me with Don Mattingly and that guy was a dynamic hitting first baseman.  I can't imagine what is really going on behind the scenes with Rodon, his back, and Cashman wondering if he blew this acquisition like he did Frankie Montas. So far if you think about it, Cashman hasn't done a thing right with his pick-ups. Think about it.

Anyway look, I really hope Rodon gets well soon. No one wants to hear about stuff like this, especially Yankee fans. Let's just hope this guy isn't the NEXT Carl Pavano.

TODAY'S THE DAY FOR DON MATTINGLY

Big day for Donnie.  I'd also suggest a big day for every Don Mattingly fan out there who truly believes that he needs to be in the Hall of Fame.

Give some credit where credit is due. Jon Heyman has been beating this drum for weeks leading up to the voting. And 2 days ago, I even threw this on IG.

I mean, give the guy what he deserves. The New York Post writes:

"...The results will be announced at 8 p.m. on Sunday at MLB’s Winter Meetings in San Diego...

Mattingly spent 15 years on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America ballot, but never received the requisite 75 percent of the vote; the closest he came was in his first year of eligibility in 2001, when he garnered 28.2 percent. Now, he has another chance. He needs at least 12 of 16 votes from the committee, which is made up of seven Hall of Famers, six team executives and three media members.

Mattingly said: “It’s a desire [to be a Hall of Famer]... I think every player, it would be something that if you felt like you knew you’ve done enough. Obviously people look at it as being on the borderline, right? There’s people that voted for you, people that didn’t, different committees put you on and things like that. So obviously you’re one of those guys that’s on the borderline."

Donnie is borderline only because his career was shortened by a back injury, but if you look at the career numbers before his career was shortened, he was stellar and dare I say guys have been getting bigger contracts in today's game and doing far less than Donnie did when his numbers too a slight dip after the back injury got to him.  Even Cal Ripken thinks Donnie needs to be there, which by the way, I thought was an incredible quote:

“He’s [Don Mattingly] the guy they penciled in hitting 4th in the lineup of All-Stars. . . Great defensive player, difference maker. . . A great clutch hitter. . . And I think he’s a Hall-of-Famer.” - Cal Ripken Jr.

We're talking about a guy that is beloved in the game, not just the New York fan base. Think about this; Cal is loved in this game, talking about another guy that was a true competitor but also beloved. 

Look, as far as I'm concerned, it's time for Donnie. The voters need to do the right thing today. Let's hope they do.