The New York Yankees have fallen.
After coming up short in the World Series last time around, there will be no shot at a do over in 2025.
Instead, it’s the Toronto Blue Jays that advanced from the ALDS in four games.
As Wednesday turned into early Thursday at Yankee Stadium, the visitors stunned MLB crowds in the Bronx with a 5-2 victory that sealed a 3-1 series win.
For the first time since 2016, the Blue Jays are going back to the Championship Series, and a powerhouse in the American League East is left licking its wounds.
It really shouldn’t have been this way.
For New York, it was World Series or bust.
Like the Blue Jays, they boasted a 94-68 record, the joint best in the AL.
It was then breakout starting pitcher Cam Schlittler who got the Yankees through their win-or-go-home Wild Card series against their bitter rival, the Boston Red Sox.
But that win, and the champagne celebrations in the clubhouse that followed, was about as good as it got.
Come Thursday morning, it was the Blue Jays partying wildly instead — while also trolling the Bronx Bombers for good measure.
Aaron Judge, the hulking 6-foot-7 slugger who has been playing at MVP level and led the majors in both home runs and RBI, has once again been denied his ultimate goal.
With defeat against the Blue Jays, the wait for a World Series ring goes on.
Aaron Judge shares verdict on Yankees season
Speaking after New York’s 2025 season concluded, Judge was direct with his assessment.
“You play to win,” he told reporters.
“And when you don’t win, it’s not a good year.”
The captain went on to suggest that the Yankees came up short because they failed to execute at times.
“It comes down to the little things,” Judge continued.
“Making the little plays, getting the big hit. If you don’t do that, give teams extra outs, they’re going to capitalize.”
He admitted that losing in October wasn’t the only thing that stung, with some April losses weighing heavily on him.
The Yankees finished April with a modest 15-13 record, and lost five games by just one run in the first month.
“Every game matters,” Judge explained.
“I could go through the whole month of April and games that we lost that we shouldn’t have lost.
“Those are the ones that keep me up at night.”
Yankees legend slams 2025 roster construction
While New York had hopes of getting back to the World Series, MLB legend Alex Rodriguez wasn’t exactly surprised to see his old team fall short.
Speaking on Fox Sports after the ALDS, he praised manager Aaron Boone, but noted the roster constructed this year was one of the ‘worst’ he’s seen.
“Aaron’s been very classy. We’ve all been very consistent with that,” A-Rod said.
“Honestly, from the entire organization, he’s the one guy we’ve circled that is the least to be blamed.
“He’s got a lot of talent. But for me personally, it’s one of the worst constructions of a roster I’ve ever seen.
“You have three left-handed catchers. You have five DHs. You have a first baseman in and out.
“It’s just a very, very difficult hand for Boone and honestly, they were exposed against a much better Jay’s team.”
For the second year in a row, Yankees fans were forced to watch on as a rival team celebrated on their field.
That loss in the World Series last year will no doubt have been harder to swallow, but Wednesday’s defeat against the Blue Jays will sting nonetheless.
Stay up to date with the latest from US sports across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.
