Yankees-Red Sox Base-Stealing Row Sparks Broadcaster and Manager Backlash

During a 16–1 Yankees victory over the Boston Red Sox at Angel Stadium, New York second baseman Carlos Rodón stole two bases in the eighth inning. Red Sox radio play-by-play announcer Will Flemming called Yankees shortstop Jazz Chisholm Jr. Manager Aaron Boone later explained that he instructed the Yankees to run because the Red Sox were not holding Chisholm on first, a situation he said warranted aggressive baserunning.

New York Times

Base-stealing tactics that exploit a defense’s decision not to hold a runner are often justified by teams as adhering to baseball’s “unwritten rules.” The controversy resurfaced after a similar Red Sox-won game in August 2025, when Boston scored seven runs in the ninth inning.

New York Times

He later told The Athletic that the Yankees’ approach was “not the pat-on-your-back league.” Flemming apologized to Boone on a phone call, which Boone accepted, but he did not apologize to Chisholm. Yankees captain Aaron Judge, who has advocated for Chisholm’s aggressiveness, urged that broadcasters refrain from suggesting retaliation, saying, “He needs to stay out of that and not be telling people to throw at players and injure players.”

New York Times

• “They’re called unwritten rules because you’re not really breaking any rules,” — Jazz Chisholm

New York Times

• “It’s stupid to talk about because you’re getting beat.” — Carlos Rodón

New York Times

• “This is not the pat-on-your-back league, and we’re going to be nice to you. Everyone’s coming to take the food off your table, and they’re coming to take your money. That’s how this game is played. There are no nice guys.” — Aaron Boone

New York Times

• “To be honest with you, I don’t,” — Jazz Chisholm

New York Times

• “He needs to stay out of that and not be telling people to throw at players and injure players,” — Aaron Judge, yankees captain

New York Times