Yankees captain Aaron Judge voiced his displeasure with fans who chanted “We Want Soto” during Trent Grisham‘s sixth-inning at-bat in the team’s 6-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. He understood the fans’ eagerness to see Juan Soto back in action, but he was not pleased with the timing and nature of the chants aimed at his Yankees teammate.
The New York Yankees faced the Los Angeles Dodgers in a highly anticipated weekend series, suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat in 11 innings on Friday and an 11-3 loss on Saturday. During those two games, outfielder Trent Grisham, who was filling in for the injured Juan Soto, managed just a single hit.
On Sunday night, Grisham found himself in the Yankees’ lineup once again, with Soto still sidelined due to forearm inflammation. Despite his meager .083 batting average, manager Aaron Boone slotted Grisham into the fifth spot in the batting order. Boone’s decision was influenced by his desire to have a left-handed batter in the heart of the lineup and Grisham’s potential to capitalize on fastballs from the Dodgers’ hard-throwing starter, Tyler Glasnow.
As Grisham stepped up to the plate in the sixth inning, the Yankees trailed 3-2, and the absence of their superstar, Soto, was felt more acutely than ever. The restless Yankee Stadium crowd made their sentiments known during Grisham’s third at-bat, chanting “We want Soto!” in a pointed manner.
However, Grisham quickly silenced the doubters and changed the narrative with a timely and powerful hit. His clutch performance proved to be a turning point in the game, propelling the first-place Yankees to a crucial victory and improving their American League-best record to an impressive 46-21.
Grisham’s heroics not only helped secure the win but also served as a reminder that the Yankees’ depth and resilience extend beyond their star players. While Soto’s presence was undoubtedly missed, Grisham’s ability to step up in a critical moment highlighted the team’s overall strength and determination to succeed, even in the face of adversity.
Captain Judge not happy with Soto chants by Yankees fans
Judge voiced his displeasure with fans chanting “We want Soto” during Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Judge came to the defense of teammate Trent Grisham, who has been stepping in for the injured Juan Soto, emphasizing Grisham’s hard work and talent.
Judge acknowledged that fans are eager to see top players, particularly in high-stakes matchups, but expressed confidence in Soto’s recovery. He also commended Grisham for hitting a crucial home run that helped secure the team’s victory, despite the fans’ chants.
“Grisham works his butt off every single day,” he said. “Soto is out right now, he’s going to be back soon and he’s been carrying this team all year. Anytime you go up against teams like this, fans pay to come see us do our thing. They want to see the best out there. Soto is going to heal up fine, but Grish is a heck of a ballplayer and he showed it tonight in a big moment when we needed him. I wasn’t too happy with it, but I think he made a good point; he got his point across with that homer.”
Grisham’s pivotal blast contributed to the first-place Yankees’ American League-best 46-21 record. When asked about the chants post-game, Grisham downplayed any notion of sending a message with his homer, though he admitted enjoying the crowd chanting his name during his next at-bat.
Grisham’s clutch home run in the New York Yankees’ 6-4 triumph over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday not only averted a three-game sweep but also marked a significant milestone for the 27-year-old center fielder. It was Grisham’s fifth hit of the season, three of which have been home runs.
Manager Aaron Boone commended Grisham for his positive attitude and readiness, stating, “He’s been a really good teammate through all this. He’s stayed prepared and has accepted his role. He’s got a bit of an opportunity this week and he’s making the most of it.”
Despite his game-winning moment, Grisham has struggled offensively this year, hitting just .100 with a .538 OPS over 25 games as the Yankees‘ fourth outfielder. He has only started 18 of the team’s 67 games, with this weekend marking just the second time he has started three consecutive games this season.
Grisham has been stepping in for superstar outfielder Juan Soto, who has missed the last three games due to left arm inflammation. The timeline for Soto’s return remains uncertain, although Boone expressed optimism that he could be back in the lineup Monday when the Yankees visit the Kansas City Royals.
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