Former New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi just dropped a bomb, defending embattled manager Aaron Boone while absolutely ripping into the players for their part in the team’s playoff exit. On “The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman,” Girardi didn’t hold back, saying he actually felt Boone delivered his “best year of managing” despite the team getting swept out of the ALDS by the Tampa Bay Rays.
Girardi Backs Boone, Points to a Different Kind of Win
Girardi was clear: Boone got the most out of that Yankees squad, especially considering all they had to navigate through the season. “I think you could argue this was his best year of managing,” Girardi stated on the show. He highlighted how Boone had to flip the script on how the team won games. Instead of just out-slugging opponents like in years past, they had to grind out wins from a pitching standpoint. Girardi even gave props to Boone for how he handled the bullpen, saying he “ran the bullpen extremely well and got the most out of those guys.” It’s a surprising take when everyone’s looking for a scapegoat, but Girardi put the focus somewhere else entirely.
Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s Wild Comment and the Call for Accountability
So, if Boone was doing his best work, who’s to blame? Girardi pointed a very specific finger: the players themselves, and one guy in particular: Jazz Chisholm Jr. Girardi couldn’t believe it when Chisholm told reporters after a truly out-of-control error in Game 2 against the Rays that he would have made “the same play again” if he had the chance. Girardi’s reaction was pure incredulity, and honestly, who could blame him? “You said you would have done the same thing over again? No! You can’t do the same thing! It didn’t work!” he exclaimed on the show. He wasn’t just talking about that one error, though. Girardi brought up the base-running miscues and all the sliding over bases, saying “someone’s got to say something, enough is enough.” It sounds like he thinks the clubhouse culture needs a serious gut check.
Another Offseason of Disappointment for the Pinstripes
This whole situation just lays bare the frustration surrounding the Yankees. This marks their 17th straight season without a World Series title. Fans are absolutely dissecting every move, and it’s easy to point fingers at Boone, who has only gotten the team past the ALDS three times and into the World Series once since taking over in 2018. General manager Brian Cashman also gets a lot of heat. But Girardi’s comments are a stark reminder that the players, the guys on the field, have a major stake in 2026’s bitter disappointment too. What happens next, and who truly steps up for accountability, will shape everything leading into the next season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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