Jazz Chisholm Jr. lifted the Yankees past the Red Sox on Sunday with one of the most memorable performances of his career, homering twice in a 7–2 win that snapped New York’s four-game skid. The second baseman blasted his 100th career home run off Dustin May in the second inning, then followed it up with his 101st off Walker Buehler in the eighth. His bat not only delivered a long-awaited win, but also carried a heavy personal weight, as he revealed afterward that his best friend had passed away the day before. The emotion was clear when Aaron Judge embraced him in the dugout after the milestone.
Chisholm’s path to this moment has been unique. Acquired in a midseason trade from Miami in July of 2024, he wasted no time making history, becoming the first Yankee ever to homer in each of his first three games with the club. Though he was initially thrown into the unfamiliar role of third base, he eventually found his home at second. He settled into the lineup as one of the team’s most reliable sparks. In his 143 games with New York, Chisholm has hit .249/.329/.478 with 33 homers, 81 RBIs, and 85 runs scored. This season, he is batting .239/.333/.484 with 24 home runs, already matching his career high and an .818 OPS, numbers that place him firmly among the team’s most consistent bats.
But Jazz’s impact goes well beyond his power stroke. Since late July, the Yankees have transformed from one of the worst baserunning clubs in the league to one of the best, and Chisholm has been at the center of it. He’s gone 11-for-11 in stolen base attempts during that stretch, showing a blend of speed and aggressiveness that has helped New York manufacture runs when the long ball isn’t there. His energy, confidence, and willingness to seize big moments have quickly made him one of the clubhouse’s driving forces.
Sunday’s win put the Yankees just a half-game behind Boston for the AL Wild Card lead and six games back in the division. With Chisholm finding his rhythm both at the plate and on the basepaths, his presence adds a new dynamic to a team fighting to stay alive in the postseason chase. For the Yankees, his bat is the thunder, but his heart and hustle are the spark keeping the season alive.