Perspectives: A Collection of Thoughts

By Paul Semendinger

July 18, 2026

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Cody Bellinger won the MVP of the All-Star Game.

I have argued that there is no anti-Yankees bias in award giving. This is just the latest example.

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Last night, the Yankees lost 2-1 to the Dodgers partially because, in the bottom of the 8th, in a one-run game, Trent Grisham, didn't run hard on a double by Ben Rice and was thrown out at the plate.

There is no excuse for that. None at all.

If fans think that kind of effort is acceptable, they are completely wrong. Completely.

Trent Grisham's lack of hustle is part and parcel of the way the Yankees play. And it is a huge problem.

Further, after the game, he was asked about this, and instead of Grisham saying, "I should have run harder," he basically stated that he did run hard - despite what everyone with eyes could see.

If people do not understand that that type of (lack of) effort and lack of accountability is part of the culture created by the manager, they are not paying attention at all - or are watching the team only through rose colored glasses.

The atmosphere created by Aaron Boone contributed directly to the loss on Friday night to the Dodgers because it is Aaron Boone's atmosphere that accepts players not giving 100%. That is a fact no matter how much some might wish to deny it.

The Yankees lost, in part, because they do not play with heart or emotion (except when they are self-congratulatory). They do not own their mistakes. And the manager continually makes excuses for them

The manager accepts losing in this manner - and the players deliver.

Grisham's lack of hustle exemplifies the Boone-Era exactly. If one wishes to know why the Yankees have not won a World Series under Aaron Boone, they need to look only at that play.

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Now, if, as some say, Boone has to manage this way, that he has to accept a lack of effort from his players, because his hands are tied from above, what they also must understand is that, if that is the case, Boone certainly has very little respect from his players.

People do not respect leaders who are weak, who have no backbone, who don't stand-up for what is right, who don't demand the best, and who accept mediocrity. In fact, people with those attributes, can not, in fact, be called leaders.

The fact that Aaron Boone accepts this type of play, and that this is the culture he created, makes it clear, to me, that he is not respected as a leader in the clubhouse. The players might like him. They might say he's a good guy.

But they certainly don't play hard and battle for him. They certainly don't give their best game after game.

People don't respect weak leaders. This is especially true in sports.

This is just the latest example of why the entire culture around the team needs to change and why a new manager is necessary.

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Yes, Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner are part of the environment that accepts all of this, but Boone is the manager and he must own the atmosphere on the field, in the dugout, and in the clubhouse. This is his team. He is the manager.

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I was amazed to see Yankees fans criticizing Gerrit Cole for wanting to stay in the game - while he was pitching a shutout - last night.

I have no problem with Cole wanted to stay in the game, in fact, I applaud that. As a fan, I want players who have that desire, that fire, that determination. "Give Me The Ball."

The fault in that game (Cole gave up the eventual game-winning homer after staying in) was not with the athlete, it was with his catcher, the coaches, and the manager. Those people should all know that a Major League pitcher, especially a great one, will say that he wants to stay the game. They should all know that the pitcher feels he can get the next guy out.

It is the catcher, the coaches, and the manager who have to determine, based on the pitcher's command, arm angle, stamina, and such, if he should remain in the game.

The fault for Cole staying in the game is not Cole's - it is Boone's (and the others). This is yet another example of how Aaron Boone, the manager, does not have a feel for the game and what is happening. At all.

And this is yet another example of how Boone's in-game decisions hurt the team.

There are not many pitchers who, when asked, will say, "Yeah, coach, take me out. I can't do it. That batter, he's better than me." In fact, I can't imagine any great pitchers who ever said that. Ever.

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I want the players on my team to want to stay in the game and to want to play. Successful players, winning players, have an "I Can" attitude. That's what they call guts and heart and determination. Those attributes are at the core of every great athlete.

Quitting and giving up are not.

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There is a famous scene from the final fight in the first Rocky movie. In the 14th round, Apollo Creed knocks Rocky down. Rocky's trainer, Mickey, tells Rocky to "Stay down."

The essence of the movie - and maybe the greatest moment in the film - and the one that defines the Rocky character and the entire franchise - is that he got up. Rocky got up. He didn't quit. He battled. That's what champions do in real life (and in the movies).

It seems that some Yankees fans would have rooted for Rocky to stay down. That's what they were expecting from Gerrit Cole last night. They wanted Cole to give up.

Champions do not ask out of tough spots.

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