The New York Yankees are down 0-2 in the ALDS against the Toronto Blue Jays. Another loss means their season is over. The team has been outscored 23-8 in two blowout games. It is the first time in history that the Yankees have allowed 10 or more runs in back-to-back postseason games.

Back in early August, the Yankees were in a similar freefall. After losing their first AL East spot, the Yankees were in third place, 5 1/2 games behind the division leader, and went 22-30. In a situation like that, when their October qualification was in question, slugger Giancarlo Stanton held a fiery, closed-door meeting following a brutal walkoff loss in the tenth against the Texas Rangers.

After that, though, they have faced some occasional issues, but they finished their regular season with the best record in the majors over that period — winning 34 games in the remaining 49 games and ended their season tying with the AL best 94-68 record. But that meeting was so effective that the team’s trade deadline acquisition, third baseman Ryan McMahon, confessed, “We kind of needed somebody to get (on) our a—s like that.”

The meeting details hadn’t come to the surface at that time. Now, from McMahon’s statement, one question may arise.

Is the team really missing a tough and demanding voice that the Big G had to step up in a season where he had a .273 with 24 home runs, 66 RBIs, and a .944 OPS, even after missing 70 games?

“A coach can say it or a front office person can say it, but hearing it from one of your guys that’s out there battling with you every day … it’s a good little reality check,” Yankees captain Aaron Judge admitted about that meeting. “We’re all professionals, but I think we all need a little kick in the a– every now and then.”

While Judge praised his teammate, fans are asking why the captain and manager weren’t the ones providing that necessary kick. And now, as the team sits on the brink of elimination, the questions around the Yankees’ leadership are only getting louder.

‘Where is the Captain?’: Fans sound off on a void leadership

For many fans, McMahon’s honest words confirmed a long-held belief that manager Aaron Boone is simply too soft on his players. One commented, “McMahon’s comment confirms what fans figured about Boone, does it not? That he’s too soft on players? Also admits that players would be receptive to a little fire every now and then.” It comes from years of watching Boone publicly defend his players, even after clear mistakes.

Some fans immediately questioned why Aaron Judge wasn’t the one delivering the speech. One questioned, “Isn’t judge supposed to be the one doing this?” Yankees fan always expects someone who leads from the front, like Derek Jeter. But  Judge is known as a quieter one. To be fair, he did call his own players-only meeting in September and proved he can be vocal, too. Plus, he understands that different moments require different voices.

Still, some fans remarked, “Judge “a wake up call” buddy you’re the captain! S— rolls down hill it should come from you! Do you think ARod was giving wake up calls when Jeter was in the locker room?” Jeter was the undisputed leader, and there is no doubt around that. Still, there were several occasions where players like Jorge Posada and Paul O’Neill were never afraid to say something they wanted to say. 

But the turnaround of Stanton’s speech was so massive that it created a new narrative. As one said, “why is it always Stanton holding the fiery team meetings??? where is the CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM to lead them????” With their season on the brink of elimination, this fan frustration is understandable, but it exaggerates the situation. Modern clubhouses often have multiple leaders, and this was just a case of the right man stepping up at the right time.

Yet for one portion of the fanbase, all roads lead back to one point: Aaron Boone is not the right manager for this team. As one fan commented, ““We kind of needed somebody to get on our a—s like that” right so why is Boone still manager? Like come on dawg. FIRE HIM. GOOD BYE”. With his own players hinting at a need for more accountability, this comment represents the final verdict for many of Boone’s critics.

Now, with a do-or-die situation ahead for the NYY, it’s time to see whether Judge and Boone can again write a comeback!