Yankees Clubhouse 'Broken' After ALDS Sweep by Rays
Manager Aaron Boone described a dejected locker room following the team's playoff elimination.
The New York Yankees clubhouse was described as "broken" following their devastating American League Division Series sweep at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays. Manager Aaron Boone conveyed the team's profound disappointment after falling 4-3 in Game 3 at Yankee Stadium, completing the sweep.
"The ending is terrible," Boone said Wednesday night. "There’s no easy way. It’s a broken clubhouse. What you go through as a team, as a family over the last eight, nine months getting ready for this. It’s just the worst."
Boone made lineup adjustments for Game 3, notably benching Jazz Chisholm Jr. in favor of Anthony Volpe. Volpe contributed a potential game-tying home run that was ultimately overturned due to fan interference. Trent Grisham was placed in the leadoff spot despite a recent slump, finishing 0-for-5 in Game 3 and 0-for-11 in the series. Grisham also battled an injury for much of September.
The decisive Game 3 concluded with Grisham striking out, leaving Chisholm Jr. stranded on second base as the potential tying run. The team now faces numerous offseason decisions, including the free agency of Chisholm Jr.
When asked about being benched to start Game 3, Chisholm Jr. offered a brief response: "No comment. Next."
The Rays advance to the ALCS, while the Yankees head into an offseason filled with questions and potential changes, compounded by the backdrop of a potential league-wide lockout.