New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. is continuing to forgo protective gear, even after a recent incident where he fouled a pitch off his groin. Despite medical recommendations and common baseball practice, Chisholm has stated he will not start wearing a protective cup.
Player’s Stance on Protective Gear
Speaking before Friday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds, Chisholm commented on the use of cups. “If you don’t trust your hands, I would recommend wearing a cup,” he said. “I feel like it’s more defensively that you would wear a cup than hitting. At the same time, I just never thought about wearing a cup.”
The incident occurred just a day prior when Chisholm fouled a 2-2 curveball from Chicago White Sox pitcher Sean Burke off his groin. When asked about his pain level during the impact, Chisholm described it as “a million.”
Despite the painful foul ball, Chisholm was feeling better by Friday and went on to hit a home run in the Yankees’ 5-0 victory over the Reds. He later admitted that he has never worn a cup, not even during his time in the minor leagues, where such protection is mandatory.
“I’ve never worn a cup,” Chisholm reiterated. “I’m not going to change. Just an unlucky instance right there.”
Manager’s Surprise and Generational Differences
Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed surprise at the number of current players who choose not to wear cups, given the potential for injury. Boone, whose father played in MLB from 1997 to 2009, shared his own perspective.
“In December going to hit soft toss, I put a cup on,” Boone stated. “That’s the difference between this generation and my generation. I did nothing without a cup baseball related.”
Boone recalled being astonished to learn that players like Adrian Beltre, a fellow third baseman, did not wear cups. Beltre himself experienced a testicle injury from a ground ball to the groin. Boone now acknowledges that many players currently opt out of wearing this protective equipment.
Player Comfort and Historical Precedents
Many players find cups to be uncomfortable and restrictive, particularly those in the outfield who feel the padding can impede their defensive range. Historical figures in baseball have also been known to play without cups. For instance, Seattle Mariners legend Ken Griffey Jr. is among those who famously did not wear protective cups.
