AARON BOONE ISSUES "WALK YEAR" WARNING TO YANKEES STAR JAZZ CHISHOLM JR.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. hits 30/30, but Aaron Boone’s latest comments suggest the Yankees may let their star second baseman test free agency.
Let’s not get hypnotised by the highlight reels. The Yankees’ business model isn’t built on feel-good moments—it’s all about cold calculations. Jazz Chisholm Jr just put together the kind of season that usually gets a guy whatever he wants: 31 homers, 31 stolen bases, and a Bronx crowd eating out of his hand. He’s everything you want in a star—flashy, marketable, and by the numbers, one of the best second basemen out there. But here we are, heading into his walk year, and I can’t shake the feeling Brian Cashman is going to let him walk right out the door.
History keeps repeating itself with Cashman. ¿Robinson Canó? Gone. Gleyber Torres? Gone. The Yankees treat second base like it’s just another piece to swap out, not a cornerstone. So while Jazz is putting on a $150 million audition, it might be for every other team except the one he’s carrying right now.
Now, if you want reasons to keep him, the numbers are electric. Chisholm didn’t just luck into 30 bombs—he crushed the ball, sitting in the 91st percentile for Barrel Rate. When he connects, it’s loud. On defence, he shut up the doubters who thought he was just an outfielder pretending at second. He posted elite range, 88th percentile OAA, and his base running? Top 14% of the league. He changes the game every which way.
But there’s always a “but” with Jazz. The strikeouts are scary. He swings and misses more than almost anyone—7th percentile Whiff Rate, 8th percentile Strikeout Rate. That’s the kind of stuff that gets you benched in October. And his .234 expected average? That’s just who he is, not some unlucky streak.
Even Aaron Boone, usually the players’ hype man, sounded different talking about Jazz on a podcast with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman. He didn’t bother sugarcoating things.
“We have some interesting talks in my office from time to time. But I think we have a lot of respect for one another,” Boone said. “The reality is I just demand a lot out of him because he’s capable of so much. It’s on us to just make sure he’s focused on going out there and being the best version of himself.”
That’s not how you talk about a finished product. That’s a coach managing a wild card.
Boone didn’t hide the pressure, either. “This is his walk year. This is his free agent year. So there’s a lot on the lline. We’llsee where it leads as far as the long term goes, or if we take it into free agency.”
The Yankees know exactly who they have: a high-voltage, flawed, show-stopping star who fits Yankee Stadium like a glove but comes with serious risk. If Jazz manages to cut down the strikeouts and repeats another 30/30 season, he’ll price himself out of Cashman’s plans. If he falls off, the Yankees will slap a qualifying offer on him and move on. Jazz always bets on himself, but honestly? When it comes to second base, I’m betting on Cashman’s ruthless streak.
LEBRON JAMES OFFICIALLY BREAKS ROBERT PARISH’S RECORD FOR MOST NBA CAREER GAMES
LeBron James breaks Robert Parish’s record for most NBA appearances in a thrilling 105-104 Lakers victory over the Magic.
LeBron James made history Saturday, breaking the record for most regular-season NBA appearances even though, honestly, he says that was never his goal. He surpassed Robert Parish on his 1,612th game and helped the Lakers edge out the Magic 105-104. Luke Kennard nailed a buzzer-beater, leaving the crowd at Kia Centre stunned.
Parish, who everyone called “The Chief", set the old record of 1,560 games back in 1996. He retired a year later. James admits he knew he’d pass Parish eventually, but that wasn’t something he planned when he started in 2003.
“It just kind of happened,” James said. “It wasn’t on my list. I wanted to be the best, maybe the greatest ever. I wanted championships, rookie of the year, All-Star games, gold medals, MVPs, you know, the classic stuff. But this kind of milestone? Didn’t really cross my mind.”
This game, he dropped 12 points, snagged six boards, four assists, and three steals, all helping the Lakers snag their ninth win in a row. Now they’re third in the West, sitting behind OKC and the Spurs, with a 46-25 record.
Even breaking such a huge record, James kept his routine steady. “Just another prep day,” he said. “Did the same as the last 1,600 games. Once I stepped on the floor, I knew what was happening, and yeah, it’s pretty cool. Being available for my teammates has always mattered most to me, and I’ve tried to do that for two decades. This record’s just a result of that.”
Coach JJ Redick weighed in too, saying James’ passion explains why he’s lasted so long. “He’s had a phenomenal season, an incredible career,” Redick said. “It takes a deep love for basketball, but also the willingness to prep your body and mind and get enough rest. LeBron loves the process, the routine and the diligence. That’s what keeps him going.”
JUSTIN ALLGAIER SNAGS DARLINGTON WIN TO EXTEND NASCAR O’REILLY AUTO PARTS LEAD
Justin Allgaier wins the Help a Hero 200 at Darlington, extending his NASCAR points lead to a massive 52 points.
Justin Allgaier came out swinging at Darlington Raceway on March 21, snagging the win in the Help a Hero 200 and pushing even further ahead in the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series standings. Right now, he’s the guy everyone’s chasing. With six races down out of 33, the points race is starting to take shape, and Allgaier’s making clear separation at the front.
He’s sitting on 306 points, with two wins, four top-fives, and five top-10s. That kind of consistency gives him a solid 52-point lead over second place, so there’s room to breathe for now.
Jesse Love has 254 points and hasn’t snagged a win yet, but his three top-fives and five top-10 finishes keep him in the conversation. He’s hanging tough, but Allgaier is starting to pull away.
Carson Kvapil rides in third at 222 points. He’s still hunting for his first win, but he’s got two top-fives and three top-10s to show for his efforts. Sheldon Creed sits right behind at 218, with one win on the board plus three top-fives and four top-10s. Austin Hill rounds out the top five with 210 points, one win, and a pole.
Further down, the fight for playoff spots is getting more heated. Six through ten is all about staying consistent, and nobody’s cruising yet.
Sammy Smith sits sixth with 192 points. He’s got three top-fives and five top-10s – solid numbers. Corey Day is right behind in seventh, 188 points, also with five top-10s and two top-fives. Brandon Jones holds eighth at 170, with one top-five and two top-10s.
Parker Retzlaff is ninth, just a point behind Jones at 169. Rajah Caruth snags the last spot in the top ten, with 151 points and three top-10s.
Just outside the cutoff, Sam Mayer is at 149 points in 11th, with two poles but only one top-five and three top-10s. Taylor Grey fills out the playoff field in 12th with 132 points, picking up one pole and one top-10.
Past the cutoff, it’s getting crowded. William Sawalich sits 13th at 119, Brennan Poole at 116, Jeb Burton at 115, Anthony Alfredo at 113, and Ryan Sieg at 105. Then you’ve got Patrick Staropoli with 95, Blaine Perkins at 88, Jeremy Clements at 83, Josh Bilicki at 81, Nick Sanchez at 77, and a pack of others in the low 70s.
Allgaier’s Darlington win pours some fuel on his hot streak, but the season’s barely started. With 27 races still on the schedule, drivers have plenty of time and tracks to make moves. Every stage point, every finish matters, and the top 12 playoff spots are up for grabs. Allgaier’s lead looks comfy now, but in NASCAR, things can flip overnight.
