The Yankees’ recent collapse has gone from a rough patch to an outright spiral, and it’s showing no signs of stopping. Well, even the opener against the Astros, which should have been a tone-setter, ended with yet another late-inning meltdown. And as a result, since June 13, they’ve stumbled to a 20–30 record. A skid bad enough to drop them into the role of third fiddle behind the Blue Jays and Red Sox in the AL East. The culprits are clear: costly fielding misplays and a bullpen that can’t hold water, as well, baserunning blunders from players who should know better.

And then there’s the clubhouse dynamic. Just days ago, one Yankee stayed unapologetically himself despite Aaron Boone’s pointed criticism and calls for accountability — Jazz Chisholm Jr., the flamboyant face of the team. Known for his swagger and headline-making personality, Chisholm has always worn his confidence like a badge. But now, he’s revealing a side of himself few have seen before. A story that may change how fans see him entirely.

“My family at a young age. I left home to handle business, and I am at the point where I take care of my whole family, all grandparents, my mom, and my sisters. And I mean, just for me, it’s just they’re my why, you know? I put on for a whole island, family, everybody!” MLB shared Chisholm’s other side over their Instagram handle.

So yeah, it’s fair to say Jazz Chisholm Jr. is carrying the pride of his whole island, the Bahamas, every time he steps on the field. He’s not just a baseball star there, but a national icon. Reportedly, as only the seventh Bahamian ever to make it to the Majors, and the first to land on an Opening Day roster since MLB started tracking that, his success is huge back home.

Notably, kids in the Bahamas look up to him as proof that they can dream big, too. And since debuting in 2020, Chisholm’s put in the work, and made that move from the Marlins to the Yankees? That’s the kind of career path a lot of players dream about. And for someone from a place not really known for baseball, it’s a once-in-a-generation accomplishment.

But here’s the twist!

Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s family story is almost the opposite of some of the stuff we’ve seen from him on the field. Remember that game against the Marlins? He got doubled off first on a simple pop-up to second. That play, along with Chisholm’s baserunning and fielding running value just above average as per Baseball Savant, had the Yankees’ manager, Aaron Boone, fuming. After yet another tough loss, Boone basically told Chisholm to take a hard look in the mirror.

But here’s the thing: he’s not backing down at all. Now, with that kind of rough patch in his rearview, he probably understands the business side of baseball a little better. And he surely knows how to turn things around. Hopefully, we’ll see that fire translate soon.

Time is ticking here for the Yankees regarding Chisholm

Well, since the All-Star break, things haven’t been pretty for the Yankees. Notably, they’ve dropped 12 of their last 20 games. In addition, the bullpen’s been shaky, and so has Jazz Chisholm Jr., who’s hitting just .197 with 15 hits and 2 HRs in 20 games in the second half.

For the unversed, after spending five seasons with the Marlins, the 27-year-old second baseman came to the Yankees at last year’s trade deadline. While his first full season with the Yankees started strong, his performance after the break fell off a cliff.

And now, that slump led to Chisholm being benched ahead of Saturday’s matchup with the Astros. He had not faced Houston’s Framber Valdez on the mound. Instead, the Yankees gave the start at second base to newly acquired speedster Jose Caballero, who also had the platoon advantage as a right-handed hitter against the lefty Valdez.

Well, to be fair, Chisholm’s overall numbers still look decent. He’s batting .237 with 19 HRs and a .790 OPS over 85 games. But right now, the Yankees are in “make something happen” mode. Time’s running out, and from here on out, it’s basically now or never. Even if that means Chisholm has to watch from the bench.

On the other hand, Chisholm has a huge opportunity to represent his family and island at the highest level. Yes, his second-half stats do not resemble that. But it’s too early to conclude on someone who managed the second and third base of the Yankees with ease.