Yankees manager confirms he ordered Jazz Chisholm Jr. to steal bases, accepts broadcaster's apology
Aaron Boone said he directed Jazz Chisholm Jr. to steal second and third base in a late-inning rally against the Red Sox and welcomed an apology from broadcaster Will Flemming for calling the player "bush league."
Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters that he personally instructed Jazz Chisholm Jr. to attempt steals in the eighth inning of the Yankees’ 16-1 win over Boston. Boone said the decision was made because the Red Sox were not defending the basepaths, adding that he would not have ordered the steals if the defense had been tighter.
"It was important that this came from me," Boone said, emphasizing that he did not intend to “wave the white flag” by sitting back while the lead grew.
Red Sox radio broadcaster Will Flemming had described Chisholm’s actions as “bush league,” a comment he later regretted in a social-media post. Boone said he accepted Flemming’s apology and maintained that the Yankees were playing “real baseball” despite holding a six-run advantage.
Chisholm reached base on a leadoff walk and, after Boone’s instruction, stole second and then third as the Red Sox failed to challenge him. The Yankees went on to score nine runs in the eighth, including two homers by Austin Wells, extending their lead in the AL Wild Card race to three games over Boston.