Steals Spark Controversy in Yankees' Rout

The New York Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox 16-1 on Sunday, a game that included a late-game display of baserunning that drew sharp criticism from Boston's radio broadcast. Jazz Chisholm , batting eighth in the lineup, finished with two hits, two walks, three runs, and two stolen bases.

The steals in question came in the eighth inning with the Yankees leading by six runs. Chisholm stole second and third base, a move that prompted WEEI play-by-play man Will Flemming to suggest that reliever Jovani Morán should fight Chisholm and throw at batter Austin Wells. Flemming also called Chisholm a 'bush league player' who 'plays the wrong way.'

The New York Post, in its coverage of the incident, reported the radio criticism and detailed Flemming's remarks. The Post's article acknowledged that Chisholm had earlier in the game walked the last few feet to first base in the fifth inning on a controversial non-catch by center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela, nearly inviting an out. Despite this, the Post explicitly stated: 'But I had no problem with what Chisholm did in the eighth inning.'

Context and Reactions

Chisholm's aggressive baserunning came amid a season of strong stolen-base numbers. According to a separate report from , the two-time MLB All-Star is batting .227 with 100 hits, 18 home runs, 54 RBIs, 65 runs, and 40 stolen bases in 128 games this year. That report also noted that Chisholm has been moved to sixth in the batting order for Monday's game against the Los Angeles Angels, marking his first time batting sixth since August 18.

Chisholm is in his third season with the Yankees after being traded from the Miami Marlins in 2024. The Heavy. report, which covered the lineup announcement for Monday's series opener in California, framed the game against the Red Sox as the team's most recent contest.