Yankees' Anthony Rizzo helping Aaron Hicks deal with fan abuse

New York Yankees slugger Anthony Rizzo hopes to help teammate Aaron Hicks overcome fan jeers the outfielder has endured during home games.

"When that type of stuff happens, it sucks, and it’s on us in the clubhouse to make sure you’re loved and protected," Rizzo recently explained, per Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media. "When you hear outside noise, it’s hard to ignore it. But as professionals, you do ignore it, and you do the best you can. The atmosphere you create in the clubhouse is the most important thing." 

Hicks was specifically mentioned this past October as one New York player directly impacted by a supposed "souring relationship between the Yankees and their fans." That alleged "toxic fan culture" was on display when 2022 American League Most Valuable Player Aaron Judge was among those booed by frustrated fans during the playoffs at Yankee Stadium.

As for Hicks, he signed a seven-year, $70 million contract extension with the Yankees prior to the 2019 season but has largely played beneath the value of that deal. He hit .216 with eight home runs and 40 RBI across 130 regular-season games in 2022.

"It’s a new year, a fresh year," Rizzo added. "What was done last year is done — good, bad or indifferent. 2023 is going to be a whole new book, a whole new journey of ups and downs, ebbs and flows."

Rizzo did admit, however, that it could be difficult for Hicks to "flush" his performances from last year out of his mind. 

Bob Klapisch of NJ Advance Media praised Rizzo as "the glue who holds the Yankees together" after Rizzo reportedly helped convince Judge to re-sign with the Bronx Bombers. With that said, Rizzo may not prevent his club from replacing Hicks with an option such as Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds before Opening Day.