Steinbrenner blames Yankees players for playoff collapse

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 19:44 · Archive

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner blamed the players, particularly the offense, for the team's playoff failure.

Hal Steinbrenner held a video news conference Wednesday to address the Yankees' postseason failure, blaming the players for the team's performance. The owner said 'the bottom line is the players didn't live up to their end of the bargain in the playoffs', specifically targeting the offensive performance. Steinbrenner said he believed the 2025 roster was championship-calibre and that 'we absolutely had a team that was winning a championship'.

The Yankees were swept by the Rays in the ALDS, with the offense slashing .130/.192/.239 and scoring only five runs across the series, including a game one shutout. Individual players struggled significantly: Cody Bellinger went 1-for-12, Trent Grisham was hitless in 11 at-bats, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. went 0-for-8. The team's longest championship drought now ties a century-old franchise record dating to 1923.

Steinbrenner praised both Cashman and returning manager Aaron Boone for their performances. Cashman has agreed to a new contract, and Boone will return for his tenth season. Steinbrenner acknowledged Boone had managed a difficult season with injuries to star players and said the bullpen was 'absolutely exhausted' by year's end, but maintained that the offensive underperformance was primarily responsible for the playoff exit.

How it is being reported

• Hal Steinbrenner makes clear who he blames for Yankees' troubles as Brian Cashman makes announcementHal Steinbrenner blamed Yankees players for the offense's postseason failures as the championship drought ties a century-old franchise record.Fox News · 21 Oct, 19:26
• Hal Steinbrenner pins ALDS flop on players in first comments since Yankees disasterHal Steinbrenner is blaming the players.New York Post · 21 Oct, 15:48

In this story: Hal Steinbrenner · New York Yankees · Tampa Bay Rays · Brian Cashman · Aaron Boone

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