Aaron Boone's decision to leave Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Ben Rice out of the New York Yankees' lineup in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series drew criticism not just from fans, but from Chisholm himself.
The Yankees standout made it clear after the narrow loss that he didn't agree with Boone's decision, though he missed a chance to prove himself right when he flew out with the bases loaded in the ninth inning as a pinch-hitter.
Re-inserted into the lineup for Game 2, however, Chisholm rose to the occasion in more ways than one as the Yankees rallied late for a season-saving 4-3 win over the Boston Red Sox.
Here's a look at what Chisholm said and how he backed up his words with his performance on Wednesday.
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What did Jazz Chisholm Jr. say?
Chisholm, speaking with his back to reporters, admitted after Game 1 that he was frustrated with Boone's decision to hold him out of the lineup against the left-handed Garrett Crochet.
"I mean, I guess," Chisholm said when asked if he was surprised to not see his name in the lineup. "Yeah."
Chisholm said he had "a little conversation, not much," with Boone and didn't elaborate, though he added that he had confidence in all of his teammates.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. had his back turned to the media when they were asking how he felt about not being in the starting lineup pic.twitter.com/vTNKOyzYdy
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) October 1, 2025
The Yankees were held to one run in Game 1, with Crochet notching 11 strikeouts. Chisholm pinch-hit with the bases loaded in the ninth inning but flew out to right field. Giancarlo Stanton and Trent Grisham had a harder time making contact against Aroldis Chapman, as each struck out.
Boone said ahead of Game 2 that Chisholm's reaction was "not the way I would go about it" but explained that he understood Chisholm wears his emotions on his sleeve. "I don’t need him to put a happy face on it right now," Boone told reporters. "I need him to go play his tail off, which I know he’s going to do. Hopefully can help us, do his thing and impact us winning a game."
That's precisely what Chisholm did. The second baseman went 0-for-3 in Game 2, but he made a critical defensive play and scored the winning run all the way from first base in the eighth inning.
After Game 2, Chisholm set the record straight on his relationship with Boone. "There was never a problem between me and Aaron Boone," Chisholm said. "He's been my manager all year and I've stood behind him all year."
Here's a look at Chisholm's memorable moments from Wednesday's win.
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Jazz Chisholm Jr. Game 2 highlights
Chisholm wasn't able to get the out here, but his diving stop prevented the Red Sox from taking the lead on a sharp grounder off the bat of Masataka Yoshida.
Do not let this play go unnoticed
— AT (@YankeeWRLD) October 2, 2025
Jazz Chisholm deserves all the credit in the world for this game still being tied pic.twitter.com/In2K09qQ4B
Not long after saving a run, Chisholm scored the go-ahead run after coming around from first base on a clutch hit by Austin Wells.
AUSTIN WELLS SCORES A HUSTLING JAZZ CHISHOLM FOR THE LEAD pic.twitter.com/9BMvOqA6pZ
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) October 2, 2025
After Game 2, Chisholm told reporters he worked through his frustration with video games after Game 1. "I played MLB The Show and I mercy-ruled someone. It’s true," Chisholm said.