New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. found himself at the center of a controversy Monday after Red Sox broadcaster Will Flemming criticized his baserunning decisions during Sunday's game. Flemming labeled Chisholm a “bush league player” for stealing two bases in the eighth inning of a game the Yankees were already leading by six runs.
Flemming suggested that the Red Sox should retaliate by throwing at the next batter, Austin Wells, and that pitcher Jovani Moran should start a fight with Chisholm. These comments were made despite the fact that the Red Sox were not holding Chisholm on base when he took off.
“Lost for words,” Chisholm said Monday at Angel Stadium. “I did not expect that when I woke up. But people show you who they are.” He added that "the unwritten rules, they’re called unwritten rules because you’re not really breaking any rules." Chisholm also pointed to the Red Sox's own actions last season, where they continued to score runs against the Yankees without similar criticism.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed he had spoken with Flemming, who offered an apology and posted one on social media, acknowledging he had “crossed a line.” Boone accepted the apology but defended his decision to encourage Chisholm’s baserunning.
Boone explained that he initially told Chisholm not to run after he walked with no outs in the eighth inning with a 7-1 lead. However, when the Red Sox first baseman did not hold Chisholm on, Boone changed his directive. He communicated to the Red Sox dugout that if they did not play Chisholm on, he would be allowed to run. When the Red Sox did not adjust, Chisholm was given the green light.
“It was important to know that this came from me,” Boone stated. “I was not planning on running with that lead, had they played it straight. ... At the end of the day, I got to do what’s right for my team and try not to get so caught up in what the other team’s doing. I felt like we did the right thing.”
Boone also highlighted the strategic importance of adding runs, noting that the Yankees bullpen had been taxed recently. Tacking on runs could prevent the need to use key relievers like David Bednar in a game that might still become close, preserving them for the upcoming series against the Angels.
Yankees captain Aaron Judge also expressed his displeasure with Flemming's comments, particularly the suggestion of retaliation. “He needs to stay out of that and not be telling people to throw at players and injure players,” Judge said. “That’s not what this game’s about. ... Not too happy hearing broadcasters talking about trying to injure and hurt a player. He needs to clean that up.”
Sunday's game was significant as the winner would secure the season series and home-field advantage in the playoffs should the Yankees and Red Sox finish the regular season tied.