The New York Yankees‘ Welcome Home Dinner in Manhattan was intended to celebrate a hard-fought 2024 American League title, but the atmosphere was far from festive.
As players received their commemorative rings, there was little excitement. These weren’t World Series rings. They marked a painful near-miss-one that still lingers as the team prepares for a critical rematch with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The postseason collapse, punctuated by a 4-1 series lead slipping away in the World Series, left a bitter taste.
The Dodgers walked off Yankee Stadium as champions, a memory etched into the minds of the Yankees roster. For Giancarlo Stanton, that defeat remains raw-and he made sure everyone in the room knew it.
“This isn’t the one we wanted, boys,” Stanton said during the event. “I’d better not see any of you guys wearing these around.”
That moment shifted the tone from recognition to resolve. The ring wasn’t seen as a prize, but a reminder of failure. Clarke Schmidt called it a “participation trophy.”
Carlos Rodón didn’t mince words, labeling it “first loser.” And team captain Aaron Judge admitted he avoids watching highlights from the series: “All I really think is, ‘We lost.’ We didn’t get the job done. That’s what really matters, and how you learn from it and try to be a better player from it.”
Yankees arrive in LA on a mission to settle the score
The Yankees are in top form heading into the highly anticipated rematch against the Dodgers. They’ve won seven consecutive series, and their rhythm on both sides of the ball suggests a team gearing up for another deep postseason run.
From dominant pitching outings to timely power at the plate, the Bombers are asserting themselves as serious October contenders.
Their offseason moves reinforced that ambition. Though Juan Soto departed, the Yankees strengthened their roster with proven playoff performers: Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, Max Fried, and Devin Williams.
These aren’t just roster upgrades-they’re statements of intent. This team isn’t building for the long haul, they’re aiming to win now.
Out west, the Dodgers remain strong but show signs of vulnerability. Injuries have tested their pitching depth and their lineup has lacked the consistent spark that fueled last year’s championship run.
The Yankees, meanwhile, are not intimidated. They’re heading into Dodger Stadium with a clear purpose: redemption.
This weekend’s series may only be part of the regular season, but it carries postseason weight. For the Yankees, it’s an opportunity to exorcise the ghosts of 2024.
Read the full article here
