Perspectives: Positive Yankees Thoughts
- Paul Semendinger
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
By Paul Semendinger
August 9, 2026
***
The other day a reader asked me to find some positive aspects of the Yankees this year. I figured that that was a good idea, although, the Yankees could make this a lot easier by winning a World Series every ten years or so. But, I digress...
Here then are some good things about the 2026 Yankees...
George Lombard is off to an amazing start. He just might be the real deal. He does look great, so far...
With 32 homers, Ben Rice is third in the American League in homers.
With 75 runs batted in, Ben Rice is third in the A.L. in runs batted in.
The Yankees' starting rotation is terrific.
The Yankees' starting rotation right now might be the best of my lifetime.
When the Yankees reach the postseason, their starting pitching is good enough to get them to the World Series and to win the World Series.
David Bednar has 26 saves. He has done well as the closer.
Brent Headrick might lead the American League in games pitched. (He has pitched in 60 games and the leader has pitched in 61 games)
The Boone Swoon* is over. (I called that a few weeks ago.) Since July 1, the Yankees are 18-14.
Cam Schlittler is an amazing pitcher. He just might be the best starting pitcher to come through the Yankees system since Andy Pettitte (who was the best pitcher since Ron Guidry who was the best pitcher since Mel Stottlemyre who was the best pitcher since Whitey Ford - and that's all saying something).
The Yankees have the second most wins (66) in the American League.
The Red Sox went something like 650-3 over their last so many games and still couldn't catch the Yankees.
Cody Bellinger, who (surprise!), leads the team in position player WAR, might return soon.
Jazz Chisholm and Jose Caballero both have a chance to lead the A.L. in stolen bases.
Austin Wells is hitting .270 since the All-Star break.
Ryan McMahon has a higher OPS+ as a Yankee in 2026 than he did as a Yankee in 2025.
I just learned that one of Stanton's nicknames is "Parmigiancarlo." (Hey, it's something.)
Aaron Judge is healing. He is one of the best players of this generation.
The Yankees have not had a City Connect uniform.
I love the pinstripes.
The Yankees have an amazing history rich with legends and championships.
Let's Go Yankees!
*Credit to Tim Kabel for inventing that term.
I Wouldn't call him a butcher. He's a catcher learning 1st base.
Thank you!
Parmigiancarlo!! awesome!
the Schlittler / Pettite / Guidry... thing made me wonder. you have talked often about what you thought about Reggie as a kid. in 1978, as a kid, did you feel like NOBODY could possibly have ever been better than Ron Guidry and that the Yankees were automatically winning every time he started?
how many pitchers in our lifetime have had a season approaching Guidry 78? Gooden 85 is the one that always stands out to me. there are a few others, but none of them felt the same way to me. I could not really say why?
related to the great pitcher line of thought, would Greg Maddux still be what he was if h…
As good as Rice is, apparently its not good enough to keep his job at 1b. He hasn't seen the field since Garcia trade.