TORONTO – With the Yankees working out at the Rogers Centre before Game 1 of the ALDS, Aaron Boone made it known Friday that he heard what Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez had to say about the Yankees on Sept. 9.
“The Yankees, they’re not a good team,” Martinez, a former catcher and manager, said during a game between the Blue Jays and Astros. “I don’t care what their record is. They have a lot of wild pitches. They make a lot of mistakes in the field. They don’t run the bases very well. If they don’t hit home runs, they don’t have a chance to win.”
“The Yankees, they’re not a good team. I don’t care what their record is. They have a lot of wild pitches. They make a lot of mistakes in the field. They don’t run the bases very well.” – Blue Jays commentator Buck Martinez calls down the thunder 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hlnIpP0ygr
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 10, 2025
Martinez’s comments came in the midst of a 12-2 Yankees loss to the Tigers, but also followed the Bombers taking 2-of-3 from Toronto from Sept. 5-7. The Yankees struggled in their previous two series against the Blue Jays, losing 6-of-7 games in Toronto between late June and July.
On Friday, Boone clapped back at Martinez, offering an unprompted rebuttal after generally discussing how the Yankees’ infield defense has improved since their last trips to the Rogers Centre, which were error-filled, losing ventures.
“Contrary to some thoughts up here, we’re a really good team,” Boone said.
In a follow-up, Boone added, “I know Buck had some thoughts. That’s all I was responding to. He’s wrong.
“But it doesn’t matter. We’ve got to go play, and we’ve got to go perform, as everyone does this time of year.”
The Yankees finished the season 14-4 after Martinez’s comments and kept the division race with the Blue Jays going until the final day of the season. Both AL East rivals finished the year 94-68.
Toronto held the tiebreaker thanks to an 8-5 record in head-to-head play, finished in first place, and enjoyed a bye in the first round of the playoffs. The Yankees were forced into a Wild Card matchup with the Red Sox, which they won in three games after Cam Schlittler spun eight scoreless innings in the finale.
The Yanks’ infield defense also played well in the series.
“I think they’ve made an effort to shore up some defensive spots,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said, specifically mentioning the acquisition of third baseman Ryan McMahon. “They’re playing a little bit different type of game right now.”
Martinez will get to see if that remains true, as he will be in the booth for Sportsnet during the ALDS.
