Carlos Rodón has ideal (and hilarious) take on Yankees fans booing
It’s a damn shame Yankees fans ruined their team’s chances at retaining important free agents this offseason — as well as adding any worthwhile external pieces — by showing their displeasure, via boos, during the ALCS.
If not for the loud, guttural noises emanating from the stands during that fateful week in October, the Yankees probably would’ve re-signed Aaron Judge, named him captain, brought Anthony Rizzo back before he even entertained additional offers, and added Carlos Rodón to the rotation. Instead of doing all that, the Yankees have been forced to hang their heads and just — hmm. Oh. Have to check my notes, that can’t be right.
Apparently, absolutely nobody at all abandoned ship because a few drunk fans didn’t enjoy strikeouts and losses two months back. In fact, booing might’ve only helped; Hal Steinbrenner’s Bronx Cheer back in Sept. seemingly motivated him to spend by opening up his mind to a world without Judge (and a competent supporting cast).
Next on Hal’s checklist was Rodón, a perfect complement to Gerrit Cole and a pitcher who gets it, commanding the requisite fire in his belly while being able to handle the big stage.
Rodón sat down this week with the fellas at Céspedes Family BBQ, and delivered an A-plus hilarious quote in an interview full of them about his expectations for the fan base moving forward.
New Yankees ace Carlos Rodón expects booing if he doesn’t pitch well, because he’s smart
When prompted by hosts Jordan Shusterman and Jake Mintz to discuss his adorable kids’ New York debut at his introductory press conference, Rodón responded that he hopes Yankee fans don’t just spread love towards his rambunctious toddlers.
“I hope they boo my kids, too,” Rodón deadpanned. “Which is fine. It’s part of it.”
When Mintz responded, “Well, if your kids don’t pitch well, they’ll boo you. That’s part of the package,” Rodón quipped, “That’s just how it goes. That’s how it works.”
Hopefully, the day never comes where level-headed Yankee fans actually find a reason to boo kindergarteners, unless Gerrit Cole’s son breaks up a perfect game with two outs in the ninth by wandering onto the field and puking. Rodón’s sardonic willingness to accept boos in response to poor performance, though, makes him a perfect option to shoulder his unique burden moving forward.
He’s not alone on an island on the Yankee Stadium mound. He’s got a rotation and bullpen that rival any in the game backing him up. During intense moments when a game — or series — hang in the balance, though, it can often feel that way. His fear of the negative response that may follow clearly won’t deter him from taking a deep breath and drilling his spots.
Can’t say the same for Willow and Bo Rodón, necessarily, but based on their lineage, they’ll probably grow into it.