Jazz Chisholm Jr. has never been known for following the crowd, and now the New York Yankees second baseman is drawing attention for a decision that has many around baseball shaking their heads. Just days after taking a painful foul ball directly to the groin, Chisholm remains committed to playing without a protective cup, brushing aside both conventional wisdom and the recommendations of those who have learned the hard way.
Speaking before Friday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds, Chisholm made it clear that the frightening incident had not changed his thinking.
“If you don’t trust your hands, I would recommend wearing a cup,” Chisholm said. “I feel like it’s more defensive that you would wear a cup than hitting. At the same time, I just never thought about wearing a cup.”
A Painful Reminder
The comments came less than 24 hours after a 2-2 curveball from Chicago White Sox pitcher Sean Burke ricocheted off Chisholm’s groin, sending him into visible pain. Asked to rate the discomfort, Chisholm didn’t hesitate.
“A million,” he said.
For most players, that kind of experience might prompt an immediate trip to the sporting goods store. Not Chisholm. By Friday, he was already feeling significantly better and showed no lingering effects on the field, launching a home run during New York’s 5-0 victory over Cincinnati.
After the game, Chisholm doubled down on his stance, revealing that he has never worn a cup at any level of professional baseball, including the minor leagues, where protective cups are technically required.
“I’ve never worn a cup,” Chisholm said. “I’m not going to change. Just an unlucky instance right there.”
Boone Stunned by Modern Habits
His position caught even Yankees manager Aaron Boone off guard. A third-generation major leaguer who played in the big leagues from 1997 through 2009, Boone comes from an era when wearing a cup was considered standard practice.
“In December, going to hit soft toss, I put a cup on,” Boone said. “That’s the difference between this generation and my generation. I did nothing without a cup, baseball-related.”
Boone recalled being stunned when he first learned that former star third baseman Adrian Beltre also chose not to wear one. Beltre’s decision became even more surprising after he suffered a painful testicle injury when a ground ball struck him in the groin during his playing career.
Not as Uncommon as It Sounds
Still, Chisholm is far from alone. Many modern players argue that cups can be uncomfortable and restrictive, particularly for outfielders who feel the extra padding interferes with movement and defensive range. Over the years, an increasing number of players have quietly abandoned protective gear despite the obvious risks.
Chisholm’s latest experience serves as a vivid reminder of those risks. Yet even after describing the pain as “a million,” the Yankees infielder appears determined to stick with what has become a deeply personal preference. Whether that decision holds up after another close call remains to be seen, but for now, one of baseball’s most colorful personalities is refusing to make a change that many around the sport consider common sense.
