Perspectives: September 15, 2025

By Paul Semendinger

September 15, 2025

***

Andy and Tim have each noted the Anthony Volpe injury in recent articles. I think it is more than fair to note that the Yankees' leadership and medical staff have done a terrible job in the handling of player injuries. From the Anthony Rizzo concussion, to playing Joe Trevino when he was injured, to rushing players back to the big leagues without minor league rehabs, to playing Aaron Judge in the outfield when he couldn't throw. On and on and on, dating back many many years.

If you haven't read Andy's and Tim's articles, I linked them.

Why Hal Steinbrenner allows this to happen time and time again is beyond my comprehension. He is overseeing an organization that seems to treat his employees' health very cavalierly. I honestly though the way they mishandled Anthony Rizzo's concussion years ago would have changed thing for the better. It's apparent that it did not.

The Yankees might win the World Series this year, that does not mean, in any way, that the leaders of this organization are doing a good job overall (when one considers all of what they're tasked with).

It really is time for sweeping changes within this organization.

***

Simple question - if you were a free agent, would you want to play for a franchise that seemed, at best, to take a cavalier attitude toward player injuries?

I wouldn't. At all.

***

As far as the Yankees winning again, we have to give Aaron Boone credit. I know. I know. Believe me, I know. Yes, he steers the Yankees into disaster territory every season, and yet, somehow, he gets the players to right the ship. How he does that, I don't know - because he's not a great game manager, the Yankees play terrible fundamental baseball, on and on.... But, whatever it is that he's doing behind the scenes, what is absolutely true is the fact that the losing doesn't destroy the team. The Yankees somehow, somehow, somehow (and it makes no sense) manage to end most regular seasons winning.

***

I have been up to my eyeballs in work. My Yankees book needs to have the final update immediately after the season. Also, Artemesia Publishing and I are working on the cover right now sharing ideas and possible designs.

At the same time, I'm working closely with Sunbury Press to put the final touches on the first of my three books on the Battle of Gettysburg.

I am also polishing the final draft of a book on which I collaborated with a retired radio reporter in New York. We will soon submit our manuscript to a publisher for the official contract to set the publishing process in motion for that book as well. That'll be another book you don't want to miss. We already have a handshake agreement with a publisher on this.

Regarding the books - more information will be coming soon!

All this at the same time I am beginning my new semester, teaching two full credit courses at Ramapo College.

And, of course, I'm also a family man who makes as much time as possible to visit with and spend time with his family - especially my sons, their wives, and my grandchildren.

Oh, and in addition to all that (and more) there's this website, Start Spreading the News. Ever heard of it? Yeah, I run that too. I don't think anyone understands how much work I put into this site every single day.

***

One has to laugh...

When the Yankees and the Mets were losing a lot, I read and heard, "Well football season is coming soon."

Football season has come.

The Giants are 0-2. The Jets are 0-2.

That didn't last long.

***

Want to know the best feeling ever? When my wife and I ask our 15-month-old grandchildren who Grandma and Grandpa are, they point to each of us. Yesterday, they tried to say "Grandma" and "Grandpa." That's pure wonder and joy.

***

I'm not concerned, at all, about the Yankees making the playoffs. They'll make it. If the Yankees have to play in Fenway, I'm not concerned. They can win there. The Yankees can win anywhere. They have the talent. (I'm not saying they will win, I am saying they can and should win.)

I think Anthony Volpe is watching his career as the starting shortstop going away in real time. That's a shame. Everyone was rooting for the kid. His was a career the Yankees did a very poor job with. They rushed him to the big leagues. They moved him all around the lineup. He never knew if he was to be a power hitter or an on-base player. It seems he receieved very little good coaching. And then this season they played him all summer with a torn labrum.

The excuse that the Yankees didn't have anyone else to play shortstop is lame, at best. They had Oswald Peraza. Or, they could have acquired a shortstop. By playing Volpe with that injury, and not just playing him, but playing him virtually every inning of every game, the Yankees did not act in Volpe's best interests.

***

I expect the Yankees to score a ton of runs these next few weeks. If one enjoys watching the Yankees pulverize their opponents, these next few weeks should be fun to watch.

***

Let's Go Yankees!