Inside the Yankees’ somber clubhouse after their World Series loss

As the Dodgers celebrated their second championship since 2020 near Yankee Stadium’s mound on Wednesday night, a few Yankees watched from their dugout after a sloppy, 7-6, Game 5 loss.
Among them were Anthony Volpe, playing in his first postseason, and Juan Soto, already in possession of a ring and awaiting mega-millions in free agency.
“A lot of emotions going through my mind,” Soto said of his decision to linger. “A lot of things. Definitely a little frustrated, but then I realized how far we got and how good we played as a team and how many things we accomplished.”
In the bowels of the stadium, Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman patiently waited outside of the visitor’s clubhouse so that they could congratulate the partying Dodgers. Boone, dejected and subdued, then articulated the agony he and his team felt as cameras broadcasted his anguish to the world.
“I’m heartbroken,” the manager said. “It doesn’t take away my pride of what that room means to me and what that group forged this year and what we’ve been through to get here. But I’m heartbroken. I’m heartbroken, and I’m heartbroken for those guys that poured so much into this.
“The ending is cruel. It always is.”
Boone held his final postgame press conference of the season after the Yankees spent roughly 45 minutes “pouring their hearts out” behind closed doors, he said. By the time reporters were granted access to the clubhouse, hugs were mostly all there was to see.
Some, like impending free agent Alex Verdugo, embraced with the understanding that they might not return to an extremely tight-knit team next season. Others simply tried to comfort their peers as the zippers of packed bags soundtracked an unsatisfying end to the Yankees’ season.
“This is as bad as it gets,” said Gerrit Cole, who allowed five runs, but zero earned, in Game 5. “It’s like the worst feeling that you can have.”
In the back corner of the clubhouse, Oswaldo Cabrera’s photo board sat in Aaron Judge’s spare locker. Cabrera had been documenting the Yankees’ wins with polaroid portraits of the team-appointed player of the game since late May. He had hoped to complete the project with a team photo featuring the Commissioner’s Trophy.
Instead, the board went untouched. Cabrera’s camera never flashed.
Still, the Yankees hoped to remember their moments of grief.
“I know this is only going to fuel a lot of guys, fuel me especially. I want to be on the other side of it,” said Judge, who mostly struggled throughout the postseason. “I think falling short in the World Series will stick with me until I die.”
As the Yankees stewed in their shortcomings, reporters looked toward the future.
No individual player received more inquiries than Soto, who will hit the open market in just a few days.
The 26-year-old superstar should command upwards of $500 million after a sensational season in the Bronx. His 2024 teammates are hoping the Yankees are the ones to pay the lump sum.
“I’d love to have him back,” Judge said, “but I’m gonna give him some time to think about it and do what he needs to do with his family and see what happens.”
While Soto expressed disappointment in the way the Yankees’ season concluded, he also acknowledged that free agency will be “exciting.” The well-coached Scott Boras client did his best not to tip his hand when peppered with questions about his preferences.
“The Yankees have open arms to let them come in and talk to me,” Soto said when asked if the Bombers will get the final chance to match any offers he receives. “I don’t have any doors closed. I’m going to keep all my doors open. Whoever wants to come in and talk, we’re going to have a good conversation.”
As Soto discussed his looming sweepstakes, he also expressed his gratitude for a fanbase that bonded with him right away.
Others, meanwhile, sympathized with the Bronx faithful, which hasn’t enjoyed a championship since 2009.
“Sorry we couldn’t get it done,” Giancarlo Stanton said. “We did everything we could. Just didn’t come out on top.”