Joe Girardi, the former manager of the New York Yankees, expressed concerns about the team's culture following their sweep in the American League Division Series (ALDS). During an appearance on 'The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman,' Girardi highlighted fundamental mistakes made by the team, including baserunning errors by Austin Wells and a throw by Jazz Chisholm Jr. that contributed to the team's failures.
Girardi stated, 'There are things that happen and you wonder, ‘Is someone saying anything?’' He emphasized the need for accountability within the team, particularly in response to mistakes. Chisholm acknowledged he would likely repeat his error if given another chance, prompting Girardi to respond, 'You can’t do the same thing again — it didn’t work!'
He also pointed to the need for improvement during the regular season, referencing infielder Anthony Volpe's demotion to Triple-A and subsequent return, which he believes helped Volpe recognize the need for change in his performance.
Girardi, who managed the Yankees from 2009 to 2017, defended current manager Aaron Boone, whose future has been questioned following the team's early postseason exit. He noted that Boone's 2026 season was strong, with the team finishing with the second-best record in the American League despite injuries and underperformance from key players. 'Can you say that that’s his fault? I don’t think so,' Girardi stated, attributing the team's struggles to players not meeting expectations.