Yankees Fans Divided: Grisham gets Backlashed…

Yankees fans made their sentiments known regarding Juan Soto’s absence during a pivotal moment in the sixth inning of their 6-4 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday night. As backup outfielder Trent Grisham stood at the plate with runners at the corners and one out, and the Yankees trailing 3-2, the crowd at Yankee Stadium initiated a “We want Soto” chant, indicating their wish for Grisham to replace the star Soto in this crucial juncture of the game.

Shortly after, Grisham responded to those chants by hitting a home run off Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow, sending the ball into the right field seats and giving the Yankees a 5-3 lead. This pivotal moment ultimately determined the outcome of the game.

Aaron Judge did not appreciate the chants for Soto coming from Yankees fans.

Trent Grisham Image

Yankees’ leader and star outfielder Aaron Judge, who had a strong performance going 3-for-4 with a solo home run on Sunday night, stood up for his teammate Grisham. Despite Grisham’s struggles as he filled in for Soto during the series against the Dodgers due to Soto’s forearm issue, Judge defended Grisham’s efforts.

In a post-game interview with MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, Judge expressed, “Grisham puts in the work every day. While Soto is sidelined temporarily, Grisham has been a crucial player for us throughout the season. Fans come to watch us compete against top teams like the Dodgers, expecting to see the best players on the field.” Judge acknowledged that Soto will recover soon and praised Grisham for stepping up when needed, especially with his impactful home run.

The atmosphere at Yankee Stadium shifted after Grisham’s pivotal three-run homer, prompting a chant in support of Grisham during his last at-bat in the eighth inning, where he managed to draw a walk.

Trent Grisham seized an opportunity and excelled despite enduring significant challenges throughout the season.

Trent Grisham image

This series marked the peak in terms of involvement for Grisham throughout the season. Usually deployed for his defensive prowess, he was sporadically included in the starting lineup. He has made just 25 appearances in the Yankees’ 66 games so far, accumulating only 63 plate appearances. His initiation into the Yankees team has not been particularly successful as he has struggled at the plate, managing only a .100 batting average (5-for-50) and an OPS of .538.

His home run on Sunday night undoubtedly stands out as the highlight of his season so far. It was a crucial moment for the Yankees, especially with Soto unavailable. This crucial hit played a significant role in the Yankees avoiding a sweep in the series for the first time this season and retaining a 2.5-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles at the top of the American League East.

Following Sunday’s victory, Grisham addressed the media regarding the Soto chants he heard from the crowd during his sixth-inning at-bat. He emphasized that the fans’ reaction didn’t affect him and clarified that his primary focus was not to prove anything to them.

“It wasn’t my intention,” Grisham conveyed to reporters (via SNY). “I was simply pleased that I remained focused in the moment, concentrated on my performance, and managed to deliver a strong swing.”

Despite Soto’s anticipated return to the lineup for the upcoming series against the surprising Kansas City Royals, the Yankees can take pride in Grisham’s significant contribution in a key moment while their star player was absent.