Yankees second baseman hits go-ahead homer, displays bucket of lollipops

The Yankees second baseman hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the top of the sixth inning. After returning to the dugout, he displayed a bucket of lollipops to the television cameras. The same player had been seen with a lollipop in his mouth while playing the field the previous night.

Cameras captured the moment during the fifth inning of that game. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he spoke with the player about the lollipop and that the matter should be resolved. Boone added that he did not know about the lollipop until after the game and described it as not a major issue.

The player said the conversation with the manager would remain private. He had previously been seen with a lollipop during an at-bat in April. The player began the season without a home run until the team's 25th game on April 23.

Tuesday's homer was his 12th in 52 games since then and his sixth in the last 18 games. He started using another teammate's pants and later another teammate's bats in an effort to end an early-season slump. He said he did not ask permission and described the arrangement as a big-brother, little-brother situation.

This marks the player's second full season with the team after being acquired at the 2024 trade deadline. He will become a free agent after this season.