One year removed from a World Series appearance, the New York Yankees were eliminated in the American League Divisional Series in four games by the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, and fingers are already being pointed following the early postseason exit.
During the post-game show on FS1 following the Blue Jays’ 5-2 series-clinching win over the Yankees, former Yankees stars Alex Rodriguez and Hall of Famer Derek Jeter went in on who’s to blame most for New York’s downfall.
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Notably, Rodriguez and Jeter didn’t place the bulk of the blame for the team’s collapse against the Blue Jays on manager Aaron Boone, instead pointing toward issues with roster construction and in-game decision-making that may not necessarily fall on Boone.
“[Aaron Boone] is the one guy I would circle that has least to be to blame. He’s got a lot of talent, but for me, personally, one of the worst constructions of a roster I’ve ever seen,” Rodriguez said. “You have three left-handed catchers. You have five DHs. You have a first baseman in and out. It’s just a very, very difficult hand for Boone.”
“Aaron [Boone] did a good job,” Jeter said. “He’s working with what he has to work with, and he sticks up for his players. I know he takes a lot of heat. But look, I’m not saying it from any inside knowledge, but I’m pretty sure Aaron’s not the one that’s calling every move that they make throughout the game.”
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The two baseball legends stopped short of naming names, but these comments appeared to be aimed at the Yankees front office, and as the baseball world knows, the buck stops with general manager Brian Cashman in that regard.
New York finished with the same record as last season (94-68) but with much different results. They didn’t win the World Series last year either, but they did make a run all the way there. As defending American League champions, getting knocked out in four games in the ALDS by a division rival, no less, is disappointing.
Even more disappointing is the fact that the Yankees failed to capitalize further on the outstanding postseason right fielder Aaron Judge was having. In seven postseason games, Judge was hitting .500 with a .692 slugging percentage and a 1.273 OPS. Those are MVP-caliber numbers the Yankees failed to capitalize on.
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This elimination stretches the Yankees’ streak of failing to win the World Series to 16 years. The last time this franchise won it all in 2010, Rodriguez and Jeter were still playing in pinstripes.
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