NEW YORK – Jazz Chisholm Jr. has been searching everywhere to rediscover his swing. He just might have found the answer in a teammate’s locker.
Chisholm borrowed a pair of Giancarlo Stanton’s pants for the Yankees’ 5-2 Subway Series victory over the Mets on Friday, a wardrobe switch that coincided with one of his best offensive performances of the season: a 3-for-3 showing that included a two-run double.
Needless to say, Chisholm has no plans to give the pants back anytime soon.
“I like the look a lot,” Chisholm said. “Every time I wear it, I’m like, ‘Bro, it looks kind of cool,’ you know?”
Chisholm said the superstition dates back to last season, when he leaned into the look on Jackie Robinson Day, paying tribute by recreating the bloused style of vintage flannel uniforms.
“I wore it like one other day and I got a couple of hits, but I never really wore it during the season that much,” Chisholm said. “I was more of a long pants guy. But I did do it a couple of times last year.”
Earlier this season, Chisholm occasionally borrowed Trent Grisham’s roomier pants, including during a strong series in Houston. But when he couldn’t locate Grisham’s preferred pair before Friday’s Subway Series opener, he pivoted.
Stanton wasn’t at Citi Field, as the slugger continues rehabbing a left calf strain, but his pants were. So Chisholm grabbed them instead.
“I found Big G’s pants in the back,” Chisholm said. “They’re a little bit bigger, but it doesn’t matter the size. It’s more of the look for me.”
Regardless of what Chisholm is wearing, Yankees manager Aaron Boone believes stronger performances are in store for the second baseman, who came into the year with lofty expectations after publicly mentioning his goal of a 50-50 season.
The numbers haven’t matched that pace thus far. Chisholm entered Saturday with a .217 average and .639 OPS in 44 games, with four homers, 16 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.
“The last two games, I’ve liked the at-bats – last night, especially,” Boone said. “I expect him to be a really good player for us. It’s been a tough start to the season for him offensively, but I think there’s a lot of guys you can throw in that bucket around the league.
“He’s gotten off to a slow start, but there’s no doubt in my mind that he’ll heat up. And then when he does that, he impacts the game as much as anyone.”