Chisholm joins Ruth, A-Rod in Yankees lore as clubhouse ritual hogs spotlight

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NEW YORK — Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s 25th home run Monday night represented far more than raw power on display. The milestone blast secured his place in the exclusive New York Yankees company alongside legendary figures Babe Ruth and Alex Rodriguez.

The dynamic Bahamian infielder has joined Ruth and A-Rod as the only players in Yankees franchise history to record 25 home runs and 10 stolen bases in their first 100 games wearing pinstripes. Ruth achieved 39 homers and 11 steals during his initial century of games. Rodriguez managed 25 long balls and 19 stolen bases. Chisholm now boasts 25 home runs and 28 steals.

Elite company for a player whose mid-2024 arrival from Miami generated equal parts excitement and skepticism throughout the baseball world.

Yankees production — and personality

While Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger command headlines, Jazz Chisholm Jr. has emerged as the driving force behind the Yankees’ infield resurgence. Since returning from oblique injury complications on June 3, the 27-year-old has posted an impressive .318 batting average with a .979 OPS. His clutch hitting in pressure situations has become a nightly expectation.

Sunday’s four-RBI explosion during the 12-5 demolition of the Athletics exemplified his current impact level. The performance highlighted his evolution from a streaky contributor to a reliable offensive weapon.

His influence extends beyond statistics into clubhouse culture. Chisholm disclosed that his musical talents have earned special recognition from teammates.

“They play all my songs after the game when I’m the MVP,” Chisholm revealed.

Power surge — with personal style

Statistical achievements aside, Chisholm’s clubhouse influence continues to grow stronger. His flashy personality and confident demeanor initially raised eyebrows, but his work ethic has silenced doubters. After posting a miserable .151 average in April and missing May entirely, he completely overhauled his batting approach.

The adjustment involved scaling back his swing intensity to roughly “70% effort.“

“At 100%, I might be dog crap,” Chisholm joked to reporters. “When you believe in something or it feels so right, you can’t go wrong with it.”

The mechanical changes have produced remarkable transformations. His plate discipline has improved dramatically while maintaining his aggressive approach on favorable counts.

Anchoring infield amid challenges

Chisholm’s contributions extend beyond individual success. With Oswaldo Cabrera sidelined for the season and Paul Goldschmidt struggling after early-season excellence, the infield desperately needed stability. Anthony Volpe continues battling consistency issues. DJ LeMahieu and Oswald Peraza have failed to establish an offensive rhythm.

Originally acquired to play second base, Chisholm shifted to third following Cabrera’s injury. His defensive work has been steady while his timing at the plate couldn’t be more perfect.

This versatility could prove invaluable as the Yankees explore trade deadline options. The team might target right-handed hitting second basemen rather than pursuing scarcer third-base alternatives.

Chisholm carries challenges of Yankees expectations

Baseball remains his profession, but music drives his soul. That creative energy — evident in both his at-bat approach and postgame celebrations — has revitalized the Yankees clubhouse atmosphere. Following a devastating six-game losing streak, Chisholm’s return and resurgence have propelled New York back atop the AL East standings.

Chisholm approaches his 100th Yankees appearance next week during a series against his former Miami teammates. The timing creates perfect symmetry for his remarkable journey.

Since the July 27, 2024 trade from the Marlins, Chisholm has exceeded every expectation. He’s provided the speed, power, energy, and toughness New York envisioned when making the deal. Now he’s not merely matching Yankees legends — he’s energizing teammates through his performance and personality.

Whether launching home runs alongside Aaron Judge or providing the soundtrack for team celebrations, Chisholm is reshaping modern Yankees’ identity in 2025.

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