New York Yankees supporters are still grieving from their team’s humiliating 9-5 loss in extra innings to the Cleveland Guardians at home on Tuesday.
As New York fans hunt for anything (or anyone) to blame for the team’s continued woes, it’s no wonder that many of them have targeted struggling Yankees first baseman DJ LeMahieu, who recently had another terrible night at the plate.
LeMahieu, 36, was 0 for 5 in the series opener against the Guardians. He also went 0-for-3 when there was at least one runner in scoring position in the game. For what it’s worth, LeMahieu only struck out once, and that came in the bottom of the 11th inning with two runners on base.
Cleveland reliever Tim Herrin only needed three pitches to get rid of LeMahieu, who fouled off the first two pitches before swinging at an 82 MPH curveball. That was a perfect opportunity for LeMahieu to reclaim the hearts of Yankees fans, but he failed.
To far, LeMahieu has a batting line of.189/.263/.249 with two home runs and 24 RBI.
Fans react strongly to Aaron Boone’s DJ LeMahieu speech following the Yankees’ loss to Cleveland.
New York On Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, Yankees first baseman DJ LeMahieu (26) waits in the dugout for his time at bat against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.
Despite LeMahieu’s difficulties, Yankees manager Aaron Boone appears to remain confident in the veteran.
“It’s been rough, no question about it,” Boone remarked of LeMahieu’s performance in the 2024 MLB season following the loss to the Guardians (h/t Bryan Hoch of MLB.com).
“He has had times where he’s gotten things going a little bit, but it’s been difficult. I know he is trying hard to get things right and contribute. At this stage, we simply need to keep grinding with him.”
What Boone just stated about LeMahieu did not please Yankees fans. Not a single word he spoke tickled the ears of an enraged crowd, which is once again perplexed by Boone’s dedication to Lemahieu.
Perhaps Boone is hopeful that LeMahieu will soon reap the benefits of positive regression, as he has intimated.221 BABIP joins the Guardians series.
“If LeMahieu had any dignity, he would retire. Man up and face the reality. “Hang it up tomorrow,” said X (the social networking platform formerly known as Twitter) user @YankeesMIKE2408.
“You could find a career journeyman in the minor leagues who could do better than what DJ has done,” replied @The_BroDad.
“Did any reporter follow that up with “WHY do you have to keep grinding with him?”?????” @NYY1996BR expressed his confusion.
“A ridiculous losing statement,” commented @tosprov. “Someone needs to remind him that he’s in a pennant race and not just playing out the string. Might as well bring out Ruth and DiMaggio for the game tomorrow. They will obtain the same output. “0-5 incoming, as usual.”
