During the recent All-Star Game festivities, New York Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes voiced his displeasure after Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz made some light-hearted digs at the Yankees.
Ortiz, known for his playful banter, took the opportunity to comment on the Yankees’ recent struggles during an interview with Baltimore Orioles All-Star Gunnar Henderson.
Ortiz expressed his delight in seeing the Yankees falter, especially enjoying the Orioles’ dramatic 6-5 victory over the Yankees just before the All-Star break.
His comments, while in jest, did not sit well with Cortes, who took to social media to defend his team.
“Everyone talks down about the [Yankees] but they wanna be us,” Cortes wrote.
He emphasized the pride and privilege that comes with wearing the iconic pinstripes and noted the team’s consistent contention for playoff spots.
The Yankees, despite their rich history and numerous accolades, have faced criticism due to their recent performance dips. Entering the All-Star break with a 58-40 record, they trailed the Orioles by a single game in the AL East. This season’s downturn follows a troubling pattern seen in the past two years, where strong starts were undermined by poor finishes. In 2022, the Yankees began with a 61-23 record but faltered to end the season 38-40. The following year saw a similar decline, from a 36-25 start to a 46-55 finish.
Cortes himself has had a mixed season, recording a 4-8 record with a 3.67 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, and 110 strikeouts over 115⅓ innings. Despite these struggles, he remains optimistic, having reached the playoffs three times in his four seasons with the Yankees, including appearances in the American League Championship Series in 2019 and 2022.
As the Yankees strive to turn their season around, Cortes’ defiant stance highlights the team’s resilience and the high expectations they continue to face.
