The boo birds continued to rain down on Aaron Hicks on Wednesday night, even as the Yankees were coughing up a 2-0 lead en route to their first loss of the series against Hicks’ Orioles.
Keith McPherson says the constant jeering of the former Yankee has run its course, and it’s just time to move on, even as several Yankee fans clearly disagree and took issue with a tribute video being played during Hicks’ first game back on Monday night.
“I understand, as a New Yorker and a die-hard Yankee fan, that’s how some Yankee fans feel. Separate that though,” Keith said. “The organization, they’re not us. They don’t hate that man. They traded for him and gave him that contract. It’s bigger than his on-the-field struggles. None of these fans have ever met him. They don’t know what he did behind the scenes…we don’t know what Aaron Hicks did off the field.
“It’s the time that we’re in in 2023. They have tribute videos everywhere…that’s just what they’re gonna do…it’s OK. It’s what they do now. You know why? It’s content. They can post it on their Twitter, YouTube…I understand how they come together and say, ‘Aaron Hicks is having his first game back at Yankee Stadium. Can we cook up some of his best moments as a tribute to him?’”
Keith saw the incessant booing of Hicks while trailing 4-2 to be “super corny,” as fans clearly don’t want to let go of their hatred towards Hicks, who has thrived in Baltimore after struggling badly in New York. But, like it or not, Hicks was liked and respected by his teammates and coaches, so it’s time to separate the player and the person.
“Would you guys have preferred they put together Aaron Hicks’ lowlights so you can laugh at him and feel good about yourself?” Keith said. “The organization is not gonna do that. They employed him. The guys that wear the pinstripes looked at him as a brother for eight years. Can you guys separate that?”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1