'Is this even real?' Infielder seen playing defense with a lollipop during MLB game sparks historic controversy over attitude: "Even while losing?"

*This content was translated by AI.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. (28), an infielder for the storied New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB), was captured in the bizarre act of eating a lollipop while playing defense. Baseball fans both in Korea and abroad have erupted in criticism, questioning his professionalism with exclamations like, "Is this even real?"

On the 23rd (Korea time), Chisholm started at second base and batted sixth in the Yankees' away game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan.

The controversy erupted during the bottom of the fifth inning while the Tigers were on offense. Live broadcast cameras and social media (SNS) captured Chisholm standing at second base with a green lollipop in his mouth. The sight of him sucking on a lollipop alone on a field that should have been filled with tension delivered a massive shock.

Moreover, the Yankees were trailing 1-4 against Detroit at the time. The so-called "lollipop-sucking" video, shown in a critical situation where the team was playing from behind, spread instantly around the world via U.S. baseball media outlets such as "Talkin' Yanks," fueling fans' anger. Ultimately, the Yankees lost the game 3-5 in a lifeless performance, falling into a three-game losing streak.

More than the act of eating a snack during a game itself, it was the "carefree attitude" displayed in a tense situation where the team faced a losing streak that landed on the chopping block. Yankees fans expressed heated reactions on SNS, stating, "If the former team owner George Steinbrenner, who valued strict discipline and victory, were still alive, he would have packed his bags the moment the inning ended." Other fans could not hide their disappointment, saying, "It's embarrassing to act like that while wearing the uniform of the storied Yankees," and "Are you even focusing on the game?"

Chisholm's poor performance further fueled the criticism. On this day, Chisholm managed only one hit in four at-bats and struck out twice. His current season batting average stands at a disappointing 0.226 (60 hits in 265 at-bats). As he fails to fulfill his role in the heart of the lineup while also appearing to lose focus during the game, harsh words are being directed his way.

Chisholm, a star player selected to the All-Star Game twice, has drawn attention for his unique style since joining the Yankees in July 2024 after leaving the Miami Marlins, but he has previously been the subject of controversy due to several immature actions.

Last May, allegations surfaced that he played defense wearing wireless earbuds (AirPods), causing a major commotion. Although the earbud allegations were later clarified as false, this "lollipop incident" leaves undeniable video evidence with no room for excuse, making it impossible to defend him.

Some opinions suggest that Chisholm's "free-spirited individuality" should be understood as he is one of the marketing icons representing Major League Baseball. However, at this moment when the symbolic weight of the New York Yankees and the team's losing streak intersect, the fans' sharp criticism—"How can you be sucking on a lollipop even while the team is losing?"—and the historic controversy over his attitude are not expected to subside anytime soon.

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*This content was translated by AI.