One Good, One Bad: Game 4 ALDS
- Andrew Hefner
- Oct 9
- 3 min read
by Andrew Hefner
October 9, 2025
***
Another season has come and gone, and with it, many new memories, happy or sad, have been made for players and fans alike. A little less than a year ago, I was sitting in the car on the way home from watching the Dodgers celebrate on the field at Yankee Stadium with a history test to study for the next day. I never thought last season would end like that, but I had hoped that the next season would be better, and that I would be right back at Yankee Stadium in late October in 2025. Unfortunately, that will not be the case, but I can say that this year has been one of my favorites throughout my short time (relative to others) being a Yankees fan. I have continued to watch Aaron Judge be the greatest player of my generation and the top Yankees player that I will grow up with, the Yankees have brought in new players that bring energy and life and will be apart of the squad for years to come, and most of all, I have watched the Yankees win games with a purpose, and cement moments that will live on in baseball history.
I am upset it has to end this way, but for the final time in 2025, let's take a look at one good and one bad from Game 4 of the 2025 ALDS.
The Good
Cam Schlittler is clearly the pitcher of the future. I talked about it a lot after my last start, but especially now, with the season coming to a close, it is important to mention again.
Schlittler is signed until 2033 under his rookie contract and at age 24 has already made his mark on Yankees fans and the organization. He will be one of the best parts of the current pitching staff for many seasons ahead and will only improve as the years progress. With Gerrit Cole returning next year, and Carlos Rodon and Max Fried coming off career seasons, Schlittler will be the final piece to the rotation puzzle that needs to be filled. If all four of those superstars are on their game next year, I do not see how the rotation could falter.
The Bad
There is so much to say about the season, but in terms of last night's game, it was just disappointing to see big moments not taken advantage of. The Yankees have the offense to make explosive plays and rally for big wins, but with the bases loaded in the eighth inning (albeit with two outs), there needs to be some sense of patience at the plate.
This is obviously not a problem that can be fixed through some managerial move or training, but with the season on the line, it is just frustrating to see potentially season-changing moments be wasted over and over again, game after game.
***
For the season, I think that there are not many that fans can blame for this ending. I do not blame Brian Cashman or Hal Steinbrenner, Matt Blake, or James Rowson, but I do still think that change needs to be on its way. Aaron Boone made mistakes this year that are inexcusable and directly affected the game. I do not think reversing those errors would have ended the season differently, but just having a manager who does not make those costly mistakes would be beneficial. Again, Boone does not need to be the scapegoat for everything wrong with the Yankees, but the time has come for a change.
Jazz Chisholm Jr., Cody Bellinger, and Trent Grisham are set to prepare with their agents for a busy offseason. All three are sought-after stars of the MLB and will not come cheap. After less than two years with any one of them, I can not imagine a team without them, and I truly hope that they liked their stay enough in New York to return.
I ended last year’s final article with a call to resign the traitorous Juan Soto, and today I call for all those involved: Bring Belli, the Big Sleep, and Jazzy back to the Bronx.
Have a great offseason, everyone, and see you on March 25th for the opening day clash between your New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants!
Enjoyed your series of articles Andrew.....nice work.
You honestly think the SP will be better next year? Schliltter needs another pitch in his arsenal because he won't be as effective if he doesn't and Cole is question mark after coming off TJ and Freid looked like he wore down this year so depending on him is questionable at best to repeat and Rodon is a 5inning power pitcher who will struggle as his velo diminishes. I would be very cautious about the SP next year. I would resign Bellinger and let Grisham move on, Jazz needs to slow walk his act and concentrate on being more in the moment instead of trying to create a moment!
I can see extending a QO to Grisham because I fully expect somebody(s) to offer him a multiyear deal. (I just hope it isn't us.) I would love to re-sign Belli. I'm somewhat ambivalent about Jazz, but perhaps under a manager more focused on fundamentals he'd do better. My big Xmas wish is to sign Mattingly to replace Boone.
Andrew, you are out of your cotton pickin mind if you blame Boone but put no blame on Brian Cashman or Hal Steinbrenner.
Now, I'm not saying that Boone is not part of the problem, but when he was hired he was given very strict guidelines of what he can do or not do. He agreed to it. Name me 3 coaches that were his idea before they were hired since he was here?
Hal gave Cashman full control at some point before the 2017 season. The Baby Bombers almost destroyed that plan, and Cashman was saved by the Cheatin' Astros.
The only 2 people that are to blame are Hal & BC. Believe anything else, then I have a…