So much has been said about the New York Yankees’ dreadful 2023 season that it almost seemed impossible for the year to get any worse for them. But these Yankees always find a way to reach a new low.
Just look at how their American East rival Tampa Bay Rays view the Yankees.
The Rays took two of three of their weekend series against New York, and Sunday’s finale included a pair of bench-clearing incidents (and a hilarious wipeout in the dugout). While either incident could have escalated into a full-out brawl, both teams showed enough restraint to resolve the altercations with nothing more than shouting and standing around.
The reason for that, according to the Rays’ Brandon Lowe: The Yankees aren’t worth the trouble.
"It's a last place team against a team that's in contention… Not worth our time… We need each game. They're not really in each game." 💀
(via @BallyRays) pic.twitter.com/BcJz1LAKlj
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 28, 2023
Speaking with the Bally Sports broadcast after the game, Lowe was asked about Sunday’s on-field fireworks. He said that the Rays weren’t going to let a last-place team get in the way of their larger goals by starting a fight:
“Obviously, tempers flared. The history that we do have with the Yankees is everything that’s kind of come through — obviously, does kind of play a part in it. But looking at it, it’s a last-place team against a team that’s in contention. They’re trying to ignite something over there — whatever. Not worth our time at this moment. We’re focused on bigger things right now than worrying about a little on-field scuffle. We need each game. They’re not really in each game.”
Imagine seeing this quote from a Rays player about the Yankees before this season. It would have been shocking. But let’s be honest — Lowe wasn’t wrong. The Yankees are just coasting into the offseason, and the Rays are the likely top AL wild-card team.
Fans also had thoughts about the postgame quote.
This was how Twitter reacted
Rock bottom keeps getting lower man Brandon Lowe just threw the Yankees on the grill https://t.co/jApLzgJxLN
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) August 28, 2023
the opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference https://t.co/OooERkAYLx
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) August 28, 2023
new york baseball is a joke and we are all laughing https://t.co/drLsS0hkPa
— Absolutely Hammered (@AH_Pod) August 28, 2023
My god you know the Yankees are down bad when Brandon Lowe is cookin em 😂 https://t.co/QVn8j1t7nb
— The Degenerate (@TheDegenWeekly) August 28, 2023
It’s the reality of the Yankees, and it’s time their fans realize this https://t.co/QYX1CI3caM
— Astros 2023 Champs (@AstrosOptimism2) August 28, 2023
Why are Yankees fans getting upset about this? He’s right. https://t.co/UGaNhbt2OY
— this team STINKS (@YankeesFanEarl) August 28, 2023
I'll never forgive Brian Cashman for putting Yankee fans in this situation https://t.co/UhFopwKdjE
— John Voelker (@jvoelker94) August 28, 2023
I love this. I sound like a broken record at this point, but the more embarrassing the rest of this season is the better the chance we see meaningful changes.
The team is the worst it’s been in 3 decades and rival players are destroying them in the media.
Keep it going. https://t.co/mRBa1mP7TS
— Rational Yankees Fan (@rational_yankee) August 28, 2023
Can’t even get mad at this. Yankees have been terrible. Just have to take your lumps and move on. https://t.co/N92vsj1p2G
— Tony (@tonyarnoldine) August 28, 2023
