'Can't outrun mistakes': Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez critical of Yankees. Boone responds
MIAMI – Beyond the ire of Yankees Universe, even Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez have offered strong takes on their old club’s erratic play.
“They make way too many mistakes,’’ Jeter said Saturday on Fox Sports. “And you can’t get away making that number of mistakes against great teams.
“You have to clean it up, it’s that simple,’’ said the Hall of Fame former Yankee captain. “There’s no excuses.
“You have to play better. If you don’t play better, you’re not going to go very far.’’
On the same Fox Sports set, A-Rod was even more pointed in his critique, questioning the Yankees’ roster structure and wondering about the accountability factor.
“You can’t outrun mistakes day in and day out, both physically and mentally. And where’s the accountability?’’ said A-Rod, following the Yankees’ 2-0 loss on two hits to the Miami Marlins.
Saturday’s flashpoint was Jazz Chisholm Jr. stunningly being doubled off first base to end the second inning on a pop fly to second base.
“If any one of us made a mistake we would be sitting our butt right on the bench,’’ said A-Rod, directing his comments to Jeter and Hall of Famer David Ortiz.
“I see mistakes and there’s no consequences.’’
Yankees manager Aaron Boone wouldn’t directly address A-Rod’s assessment, but said: “Look, we’re the Yankees. If it’s in and around a mistake, that criticism is fair.
“I’d disagree a little bit with the accountability factor,’’ said Boone. “The reality is, we’re focused every day on being the best we can be. I understand when it doesn’t’ happen (that criticism) comes with the territory.

American League manager Aaron Boone (17) of the New York Yankees reacts after the ninth inning during the 2025 MLB All Star Game at Truist Park.
“That’s on us to change that thought. The reality is, I think we should be better than what our record is and that starts with me and we’ve got to own that.’’
Boone reasoned that he didn’t bench Chisholm because he was preparing to take second base if Marlins second baseman Xavier Edwards purposely dropped Paul Goldschmidt’s pop fly, in order to take the faster Chisholm off the bases.
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“(Chisholm) got a little too far,’’ said Boone. “At the end of the day, you don’t want to make that out’’ on the bases.
“But it was born out of someone trying to make a play.’’
Boone spoke with Chisholm privately during the game, walking toward the clubhouse area beyond view of the YES Network cameras.
Yet, Boone plainly had sharp words with his first base coach, Travis Chapman, in the Yankees dugout regarding communication on that play.
Chisholm’s baserunning error was far from a one-off mistake.
In the same game, Saturday, third base coach Luis Rojas made an ill-advised send of Trent Grisham, not yet at third base, only to watch him thrown out by yards at the plate.
In his first at-bat, Grisham attempted to bunt on a 3-and-1 pitch and fouled it off.
Last Wednesday, Austin Wells forgot the outs count and ran the Yankees out of the ninth inning as the tying run.
Two weeks earlier, Jorbit Vivas neglected to slide at Atlanta, slowed up nearing third base and was gunned down by Braves’ right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr.
“It’s been too long of us playing just mediocre,’’ Boone said of his club’s 18-26 record since June 13, dropping to third place in the AL East as of Sunday morning.
“We understand we’ve got to do better to have a chance to go where we want to go.’’