Yankees veteran – not Aaron Judge – called meeting before ‘must-win’ World Series Game 3

New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo has experience with do-or-die World Series speeches. Monday’s Game 3 isn’t necessarily for the Yankees, who trail the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-0, but it comes with the same sense of urgency.

So Rizzo—and not captain Aaron Judge—huddled his teammates before the first game at Yankee Stadium with an important message, according to FOX MLB sideline reporter Tom Verducci.

SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE YANKEES NEWSLETTER:

RESTORATION OF THE GLORY

“Tonight began for the Yankees the same way 2016 Game 5 did for the Cubs — with a meeting called by Anthony Rizzo,” Verducci said before the game began.

“The meeting went quickly. Rizzo was the only one who spoke. And one player said it was a ‘bonding experience.’

“In 2016, the Cubs responded by winning three straight shutout games. Rizzo is treating it the same way tonight. He called this a ‘must-win’ for New York.”

Verducci reported that in 2016, Rizzo needed to inject some humor into the clubhouse, so he quoted his favorite movie lines — with no clothes on. The Cubs went on to erase a 3–1 World Series deficit against Cleveland and win the World Series for the first time since 1908.

The 2024 edition of this meeting was a bit more serious.

When Yankees manager Aaron Boone was asked before Game 3 if he needed to say anything to his team, he hinted at the player-led meeting, but he didn’t have to do it himself.

“It’s a close team. We’re all talking and talking. Guys got together a little bit for a few minutes,” Boone told reporters. “We’re ready to go. We are excited about this opportunity in Game 3 and obviously understand the importance of it. Can’t wait to see us go and do our thing tonight.”

NJ Advance Media’s Randy Miller contributed to this report