Perspectives: ALDS Game Three

By Paul Semendinger

October 8, 2026

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Game Three... ALDS...

Let's get to it. (Remember, I write these in real time as the game is being played.)

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• October 8 is one of those dates that always sticks with me. This was the day of Don Larsen's Perfect Game in 1956.

• If the Yankees lose tonight, one has to wonder how Aaron Boone survives this. At some point, there has to be some accountability...right?

• I believe Aaron Boone gets guidance and suggestions from above, but I also believe he runs the team and the clubhouse his way. That being said, it is clear that his philosophies primarily align with Brian Cashman's. I am also sure there have been times when Cashman has told Boone what to do. That's what bosses do. That happens in every job. There is nothing there unique about the Yankees. I am sure there have also been times when Boone has done things that Cashman doesn't approve of and that there are also times he hasn't done what Cashman told him to do. Again, this is all normal and part of any organization. Again, Cashman wouldn't have hired Boone if their basic philosophies differed. Of course not. But in the end, should they lose, the team has shown them that their philosophy does not work.

• With all of the above being said, there is an avenue for Cashman to remain the General Manager if Boone is fired. If they lose, it is very much time to go in a new direction, but I can see the Yankees keeping Cashman.

• If the Yankees' true priority is just making money, and not winning World Series, Brian Cashman does a great job. If he remains the GM, the Yankees will be stating, very clearly, what their priority is.

  
  

• The 6-5-3 double play was a thing of beauty.

• Going back to the firing question... if Aaron Boone is fired, it would be interesting if he then went and told the truth about all that has transpired these last many years shedding light on so many of the questions so many have had.

• I understand about being aggressive at the plate, but the Yankees need to take pitches and work the pitcher. "A very quick three up and three down" as the announcer said after the bottom of the first.

• There is no reason to bring Jazz Chisholm back in 2027. The argument that he'd be playing for a contract is silly. He was doing that this year. How did that turn out?

• Is there anyone anywhere who thinks the in-game interviews with players have any value?

• Does every network have a contract that says they have to continually show that Spike Lee is at the game? Does anyone care?

• The Rays jumped out to the lead but ended up running the bases poorly and ran themselves into the third out. That was a poor job by them. Bad fundamentals.

• I guess Ben Rice is the only Yankee who can drive in runs. He has been so impressive.

• The Dodgers advanced to the NLCS. Their commitment to winning cannot be questioned.

• Will the Apollo Financial Group push Hal Steinbrenner to pursue great players like the Dodgers do and the Yankees used to? Or will they say, "Keep the plan, Hal. Let's be pretty good and just keep the cash flowing."

• It is funny when Yankees fans complain about cheap home runs by the opposition... in Yankee Stadium.

• As a pitcher, I greatly dislike line drives hit up the middle right at me. That's never fun.

• Spencer Jones' two-out double to score Anthony Volpe is the type of hit that makes a fan hopeful for the future.

• So much sports coverage is inane. The TV production went to the on-field announcer for a discussion she had with Kevin Cash. The result, "You don't want Ben Rice to beat you." Yes, and fire is hot and water is wet.

• Victor Mesa, Jr. just hit a bomb. That might be the clincher.

• Let me get ahead of this rumor. There is a player that is supposedly going to be shopped this winter. He led the N.L. in walks in 2026. He played in 162 games. He had a 131 OPS+. He hit 29 homers. He's a superstar. I do not want him. At all. His name? Bryce Harper. I wanted him on the Yankees in 2018 when he was 26 years old. I do not want him at 34 years old. If I were Hal Steinbrenner and my General Manager suggested trading for Harper, I would reply with three simple words, "You are fired." That ship passed, far too long ago. Not getting Harper in 2018 was a huge mistake, but the Yankees can't fix it all these years later.

• Volpe's "homer" was not a homer. This wasn't Jeter. It's not 1996. The umps made the right call.

• In the seventh inning, Yankees fans let Jazz Chisholm and Trent Grisham know how they feel about them. Booing Yankees in a 4-3 game in the Bronx speaks volumes.

• This just in... See the Tweet below. Only fools would shut the game down. If baseball is shut down, they just might destroy the game as we know it for good.

• I like bringing David Bednar in for the 8th inning. The Yankees need outs and they must win the game. I also like seeing Gerrit Cole in the bullpen. There is no tomorrow at this point.

• I do not think he will come through, but just in case, I have my Kit Kat ready as Giancarlo Stanton heads to the plate. This could be be the last time ever. I am sad about this.

• This team frustrates me to no end. They could be so much more than they have been the last many seasons. They have not been a fun team to root for because their goal isn't to be great. But, all that being said, I am always very sad when it all ends. I do not enjoy the long cold lonely winter. Baseball is over for me, as it is every year once the Yanks are eliminated.

• There will be plenty of time ahead to discuss who comes back and who doesn't. But this has to end the Aaron Boone Era. They cannot run it back again.

• They better not shut baseball down. That would be one of the worst decisions a business organization has ever made.

• 169 days until Opening Day! (I hope.)

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