Yankees’ Chisholm relishes Bronx playoff dream: ‘I’ve been preparing for this moment’

Jazz Chisholm Jr. thrives in high-pressure environments, feeding off loud, energetic crowds that fuel his game. Describing himself as a performer who excels with an audience, Chisholm reflected on his years playing in the quieter atmosphere of the Marlins’ loanDepot Park. Even as a child growing up in the Bahamas, Chisholm developed a mindset geared toward handling intense pressure and noisy surroundings.

He fondly recalled imagining high-stakes playoff scenarios while playing in his backyard, pretending to hit walk-off home runs as if the crowd was roaring in approval. Chisholm believes those childhood experiences prepared him for the bright lights of Yankee Stadium and the chase for a World Series title.

“I used to be in my backyard as a kid just dreaming of going to the playoffs and hitting in the bottom of the ninth and the crowd going crazy,” the Yankee fondly remebered. “Then I’d flip up that rock like it’s a pitch and I hit it and it’s a home run … That’s been going through my head all my life. I feel like all my life, I’ve been preparing for this moment – playing at Yankee Stadium and getting to the World Series and winning it.”

Chisholm shared his excitement for the pressure of Yankees postseason baseball, describing the electric atmosphere as motivating rather than intimidating. He believes such environments elevate his game, and he has long looked forward to playing under the bright lights of October.

Since joining the Yankees, Chisholm has proven his confidence is well-placed, showing no signs of being intimidated by the team’s rich history or the pressures of performing in New York. His mindset reflects what the Yankees need as they face immense postseason expectations.

Acquired from the Miami Marlins before the trade deadline, the 26-year-old Bahamian has quickly made his mark on the team. Chisholm is now expected to play a pivotal role for the New York Yankees as they gear up for their 2024 postseason run.

As the Yankees are ready to take on the Kansas City Royals for the ALDS title, Chisholm is eager to begin what he calls a dream opportunity. For him, the postseason represents the culmination of a lifelong ambition to be part of a championship chase.

The playoffs will give Chisholm a chance to cement his value in the eyes of the New York fanbase. Yet, he’ll need to perform quickly, as both the Royals and Orioles present formidable challenges in the Yankees’ quest for a World Series title.

While Chisholm’s arrival was widely seen as a positive addition for the Yankees, questions initially arose about where he would fit defensively. The team struggled to find stability at third base during the regular season, but Chisholm’s versatility in the infield has proven invaluable.

With veterans like DJ LeMahieu and Gleyber Torres delivering uneven performances, Chisholm’s presence has shored up some of the Yankees’ infield concerns. He is expected to primarily take over third base during the playoffs, giving him the opportunity to fulfill his dream of making clutch plays for the Yankees when it matters most.

Chisholm bets on Yankees championship aspirations

The stakes are undeniably high for the Yankees in 2024. As one of the favorites to win the World Series alongside the Dodgers, the team faces a “championship or bust” scenario. Several factors amplify this pressure: it could be the last guaranteed season with both Juan Soto and Gerrit Cole on the roster, and questions surround the future of manager Aaron Boone and general manager Brian Cashman. Additionally, the Yankees haven’t claimed a World Series title since 2009—a drought by their lofty standards.

The message is clear: for the 2024 Yankees, anything short of winning it all will be seen as a failure, placing enormous pressure on the entire organization to exceed these towering expectations.

As the postseason looms, the Yankees have plenty of reasons for optimism in their pursuit of a championship. While October baseball is often unpredictable, New York’s combination of talent and mental toughness positions them as serious contenders.

Gerrit Cole, set to take the mound in Game 1, has consistently proven his ability to rise to the occasion in critical moments. Over 17 postseason appearances, Cole holds an impressive 2.93 ERA. His standout performance in the 2019 ALCS, as a member of the Astros, remains a testament to his resilience. In Game 3 against the Yankees, Cole shut down a powerful lineup despite lacking his best stuff. He followed that up in the World Series with a dominant seven-inning, three-hit showing in Game 5 against the Nationals, pushing Houston to a 3-2 series lead.

Juan Soto, now a key bat in the Yankees’ lineup, has built his own legacy as a clutch performer in October. In that same 2019 World Series, Soto homered off Cole in Game 5 and then delivered another long ball against Justin Verlander in Game 6, forcing a Game 7, which the Nationals won. Even before those moments, Soto was pivotal in the 2019 playoffs, hitting a go-ahead home run in the Wild Card round to eliminate the Brewers. Despite the pressure of playing in a contract year with potentially historic earnings ahead, Soto has thrived since joining New York.

With Cole’s history of delivering in big games and Soto’s knack for clutch hitting, the Yankees have a solid foundation to build on. Both players have shown they can handle the immense pressure that comes with playoff baseball, making them key assets as the team chases its first World Series title since 2009.

The Yankees’ roster is packed with players proven to excel under pressure. Aaron Judge, for instance, set a new American League home run record just two seasons ago during his own contract year. Giancarlo Stanton, another postseason standout, holds an impressive .260/.327/.637 slash line with 11 homers across 27 playoff games.

Despite criticism at points this season, the Yankees have performed well overall. Their occasional struggles have drawn significant attention, but it’s worth noting that postseason pressure weighs heavily on all teams, not just New York.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. emphasized the difficulty opposing pitchers will face when trying to navigate a lineup featuring Juan Soto, Judge, and Stanton. He pointed out that pitchers will be forced to decide whether to challenge these heavy hitters or attempt to work around them.

“Think about (being) the guy hitting in front of the MVP (in Judge) every day,” he explained how Soto is helping the Yankees. “They want to pitch around him but they want to pitch around you too … Then, after him, you’ve got Big G behind him who’s a former MVP and basically, they’re trying to pitch around him right away.”

That said, star power alone won’t guarantee success in October. Opposing teams have likely been strategizing to neutralize Judge and Soto ever since Soto joined the Yankees via trade from the Padres. New York’s starting rotation, particularly Carlos Rodon in Game 2, must also step up. Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake noted the team has several options for high-leverage situations, with Luke Weaver now stepping into the closer’s role in place of Clay Holmes, potentially becoming a key factor.

As the playoffs loom, the Yankees are faced with the challenge of living up to high expectations. Chisholm’s enthusiasm for embracing the moment could be a spark as they chase their first championship in 15 years.

What do you think? Leave your comment below.