YES Network's 'Name That Yankee' during Carlos Rodón's meltdown had to be a joke

Do the Yankees have an archived file of YES Network "Name That Yankee" options for blowout losses? Frustrating players who fans don't want to think about ever again who are exclusively used at the team's lowest moments?

That's the only way Thursday night's shenanigans make a modicum of sense.

Carlos Rodón's attempt to end the Yankees' three-game "Oops, All Blowouts!" losing streak got off to an inauspicious start on Thursday when he allowed five first-inning runs before recording a single out. He also yelled at first baseman Ben Rice after an embarrassing blunder, then got lit up by George Springer and his league-worst power output. Twice.

Cue the happy YES Network horns, because down 8-0, we've got a Yankee to remember! It's a former Blue Jay, too! Ooh, interesting! And Brave ... and Twin ... and, oh my God, it's a Josh Donaldson jump scare.

YES Network makes Yankees fans remember Josh Donaldson during lowest point of 2024 season

WHY. Would you DO THAT TO US?

To add insult to injury, it's not like Yankee fans weren't already thinking about Donaldson plenty in this particular series, considering Isiah Kiner-Falefa was in the other dugout. He's been scorching hot lately, too. He got hit by three separate pitches on Thursday! The connections, they're endless.

Regardless, YES Network has to read the room better, especially during an extended slump, when all fans are on edge. It wasn't too long ago that Yankee fans were, against their better judgment, planning the parade after they passed their final hurdle, dominating the Red Sox at Fenway Park to reach 50-22 on the season.

Alas, that's where the good times ended, in much the same way they did in 2022 when ... Josh Donaldson was a prominent part of the lineup. If it's not too much to ask, can we please stop the bleeding soon?

No? Ok. Well, can we at least stop broadcasting reminders of the bleeding from two seasons ago? Thanks in advance.

It's a shame Donaldson's no longer around, though. We really could've used a two-hour private meeting to distract Aaron Boone in the opener. Maybe it would've prevented him from meeting the media and telling them, “I don’t wanna sugarcoat it, but you see a lot of the really good tonight" after an eight-run Rodón start.