Things aren’t going well for the New York Yankees right now.
They just got swept at home by the Reds, and after a hot start to the season, they’ve been struggling with a 14-16 record since June began. They haven’t won a series since mid-June against the Royals. Center fielder Trent Grisham seems to be feeling these struggles more than anyone else.
In Friday’s 8-4 loss to Cincinnati, Grisham made a play in the ninth inning that left fans shaking their heads.
Grisham’s lack of hustle allowed Jeimer Candelario to turn what should’ve been a single into taking second base. Even though Candelario didn’t score, fans were not happy and booed loudly .
Grisham is hitting just .165/.287/.365 this season after joining from the Padres in December’s Juan Soto trade. Boone defended him afterward:
Boone Defends Grisham:
“I mean, that’s one of those that looks bad in the moment, especially going through what we’re going through as a team right now,” Boone said. “It’s also the way Trent Grisham, a Gold Glover, plays center field — like that relaxed, easy nature … Do I want him to square up to it and tackle it like you and I might in a side game? Not really. I want him to catch the ball and get it in and keep that guy off second base, but he has a track record of outstanding play out there and that’s kind of the way he does — kind of a slow heartbeat, motor and that when you’re through it doesn’t look great. I understand that.”
Grisham has won Gold Gloves in 2020 and 2022 with the Padres. Statcast shows he’s been great defensively every year of his career so far.
Fans may think this news means more trouble for their team’s future hopes.
But Yankees fans weren’t mad about his skills; they were upset because it seemed like he wasn’t trying hard enough.
What do you think? Should players always give maximum effort or can they have off moments?
