The New York Yankees have high expectations every season, but the 2023 campaign has not been quite up to par in the eyes of many fans. That is apparently nonsensical to chairman Hal Steinbrenner.
In an appearance on “The Michael Kay Show,” Steinbrenner admitted he was “confused” that some Yankee fans are vocally upset, but acknowledged that he had to pay attention to their concerns.
“I understand they’re upset. I’m a little confused this year, being the third week of June, why they’re upset, but they’re upset and that’s going to get my attention,” Steinbrenner said. “Everybody just needs to know that we’re working hard on all fronts to get this back on the rails and start playing the way we were for a couple weeks in May.”
Steinbrenner chalked many of the Yankees’ issues up to health, particularly Aaron Judge’s recent toe injury. That’s fair, but also not a valid excuse in the eyes of most fans. The Yankees have plenty of talent and should not be so reliant on one player to make the offense go.
Steinbrenner is right that there is a long way to go this season, but his confusion is difficult to understand. The Yankees are 41-34 and in third place in the AL East, a full 9.5 games out and only half-a-game up in the final Wild Card spot. Some of that is down to the Tampa Bay Rays’ dominance, but New York has lost five of their last seven, including a sweep at the hands of the Boston Red Sox.
At the moment, there does not seem to be a huge sense of urgency within the Yankee organization. That is fine and perhaps admirable, but given New York's recent underwhelming play, dismissing fan concern might not be the way to go.
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