“This can’t happen again,” said captain Aaron Judge about his and his New York Yankees teammates’ response to the incredibly disappointing 82-80 finish in 2023. Another championship-promised season up in flames, and without even the dignity of a single playoff game.
All signs pointed to 2024 being different. Juan Soto’s added protection would boost a lineup that all too often struggled to score at all last year. It is now July 8, the Yankees are 55-37, and own the top American League Wild Card spot by +4.5 games.
Except it is indeed happening again.