Paul Goldschmidt's blunt comment are telling about Yankees' tough June
The Yankees haven't collapsed in June. But with two days left in the month, they're still trying to figure out what went wrong.
Advertisement
They're 12–13. They've scored just 98 runs and allowed 85. And for all the hand-wringing over rotation depth or lineup construction, the most noticeable cold streak might be coming from the middle of the order — where Paul Goldschmidt is still trying to find his swing.
'I feel good. I feel fine,' he told reporters after a brutal 7-0 loss to the Athletics. 'But, you know, I haven't played well for the last few weeks, maybe even this whole month. That's hurt our team.'
New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
There was no sugarcoating it, just brutal honesty.
Goldschmidt's bat has gone quiet at a time when the Yankees needed steady production. Through 25 June games, he's hitting .231 with four home runs, 11 RBIs and an OPS under .700. His strikeout rate has ticked up, and his quality-of-contact metrics have dipped. Boone's tried to give him days off. Nothing's clicked yet.
Advertisement
But this isn't a panic move. It's a pause. And it's coming from a player who knows what a slump feels like — and how to get out of one.
Goldschmidt has been a pro's pro since the moment he arrived in the Bronx. His value has never been just about the numbers. He's the kind of veteran who steadies a room, owns his downs, and keeps working.
The Yankees have two more games to close the book on June. They'll take any momentum they can get heading into July. And Goldschmidt, who's built a career on second-half surges, still has time to flip the script.
This team is still chasing its best version. If Goldschmidt finds his, that version gets a whole lot closer.
Advertisement
Related: Aaron Boone Reveals a Problem With the Yankees' Lineup
Related: Yankees Announce Rotation Plan Involving Marcus Stroman
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
11 minutes ago
- USA Today
Brayden Jacobs is so big he makes 6-foot-4 ex-NFL RB dad fun sized
Brandon Jacobs was an absolute nightmare for NFL defenses to tackle. At a listed 6-foot-4 and 264 pounds, he was built like an edge rusher but ran like the New York Giants once hoped Ron Dayne would. He totaled more than 5,000 rushing yards in eight seasons with New York, including a pair of 1,000-yard campaigns and two Super Bowl wins over the New England Patriots. This is all to say it's very difficult to make him look small. So if the soon-to-be 43-year-old running back is worried about that, maybe he should stop working out with his son, Brayden. Brayden Jacobs is a 6-foot-7 offensive tackle who committed to Clemson University as a high four-star recruit last January. And maybe the perspective or dad Brandon's weighted jumping form is playing tricks on me, but he certainly looks like he may have grown since his last official weigh-in. So let's see if that's just a camera tr-- Hmmm. Nope. That's just a big dude. The Jacobs genes produce tiny mountains who absolutely should never fly coach. Well, good luck getting around that, ACC pass rushers.
Forbes
27 minutes ago
- Forbes
Athletic Brewing's Non-Alcoholic Beer Boom: Big Growth Ahead
The core lineup of Athletic Brewing Company. Athletic Brewing Company In an era when the traditional beer market continues to contract under the weight of shifting consumer preferences, declining alcohol consumption, and fierce competition from ready-to-drink cocktails and cannabis beverages, one company is defying the trend and redefining success: Athletic Brewing Company. Now ranked as the eighth-largest craft brewery and 18th largest overall brewery in the United States— up two spots from the previous year — Athletics' rise is a case study in what happens when smart strategy, cultural timing, and visionary execution converge. At a time when most brewers are fighting for survival, this non-alcoholic (NA) beer pioneer is celebrating the production of its one-millionth barrel, completing its fourth production facility, and capturing more shelf space and consumer attention than ever before. Founded just seven years ago by Bill Shufelt and John Walker, Athletic Brewing emerged from a simple but audacious premise: modern adults deserve high-quality, full-flavored non-alcoholic beer that fits their increasingly mindful lifestyles. Today, that idea has become a national movement, one that grew 27% in 2024 and is forecast to reach $5 billion in the US by 2028, according to IWSR data. The co-founders of Athletic Brewing Company John Walker and Bill Shufelt. Athletic Brewing Company "Our emergence as a leader in the NA category isn't the result of any one factor," says Shufelt. "It's the compounding effect of sustained investments in manufacturing, marketing, innovation, and our team." Those investments include more than $100 million invested in state-of-the-art brewing facilities on both coasts, including the repurposed former Ballast Point brewery in San Diego, which will come online this August. With this expanded capacity of over 1.2 million barrels, Athletic is ready to meet demand far beyond the nearly 400,000 barrels it produced in 2024. With only about 20% brand awareness and peak distribution for its top-performing SKU sitting at just 38%, Athletic sees wide-open terrain ahead. Its team is executing a savvy multi-pronged marketing approach that blends broad-scale campaigns with hyper-local precision. This includes strategic media spending, cultural partnerships, and on-the-ground activations at festivals such as BottleRock and La Onda. 'We shine in person,' says Andrew Katz, CMO for Athletic Brewing Company. 'Getting cans into hands at those peak life moments, whether that's a marathon finish line or a live music set, is where curiosity turns into brand loyalty.' Athletic Brewing Beers at IRONMAN. Athletic Brewing Company Their dual strategy is built around two pillars: "moments of participation" and "moments of enjoyment." The former includes high-performance events like IRONMAN, Spartan Races, and the Leadville 100. The latter spans over 100 Live Nation venues, MLB's Seattle Mariners, the NBA champion runner-up Indiana Pacers, and international soccer matches at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium. They even have inked NIL deals with star college athletes. The approach ensures Athletic is both present and relevant wherever people gather to push their limits or celebrate life. A Category-Expanding Force Unlike many trends in the alcohol space that cannibalize existing categories (hard seltzers drawing from light beer drinkers, for example), Athletic is additive. By appealing to drinkers and non-drinkers alike, it's expanding the beer aisle itself. A consumer who once had alcohol only on weekends can now enjoy a guilt-free, award-winning brew daily. Athletic's role as a "chaser, pacer, and replacer" positions it as a flexible option, not just for abstainers, but for moderating consumers seeking balance without compromise. "This is a positive-sum revolution," says Shufelt. "We're not replacing drinking occasions — we're creating new ones." The Long Game: Innovation and Impact Shufelt and Walker's willingness to take the long road is paying off. Their in-house R&D program produces over 50 new brews annually, a pace that keeps the brand fresh and fuels a continuous feedback loop from fans. With innovations like IPA-inspired hop bombs, rich stouts, and citrusy radlers, the company has made it clear that flavor doesn't need fermentation. But the brand's vision extends beyond beer. Through its 'Two For The Trails" grant program — the largest environmental initiative in craft brewing — Athletic is donating up to $2 million annually to preserve outdoor spaces, with a total of $6.3 million given since 2018. It's not just a feel-good story; it's a values-first foundation that resonates with a new generation of consumers. Positioned to Lead a Growing Segment While the beer industry contracts, the NA segment is expanding, and Athletic is setting the pace. Shufelt believes NA beer will surpass 10% of total beer sales within the next decade. According to Shufelt, some grocery chains are already exceeding that threshold, highlighting the unlimited short-term ceiling for NA beer. Globally, the potential is just beginning to unfold. Athletic is already selling in Canada, the UK, and select European markets, with more international expansion on the horizon. To help fuel its growth, the company announced its latest funding round, a Series D investment of $68 million, in July 2024, bringing its total funding to $251 million across 11 rounds since its founding. Athletic Brewing Company beers on the shelf at retail. Athletic Brewing Company Those funds are helping Athletic Brewing continually expand its retail footprint, meet growing demand with new production facilities, and position the brand in front of consumers. It doesn't seem likely that the brand will surrender its position at the top of the charts by resting on its laurels. The Verdict In many ways, Athletic Brewing is following a similar trajectory as early movers in the hard seltzer wave — but with greater cultural staying power. By staying laser-focused on product quality, authentic partnerships, and long-term brand building, it has established a dominant position in a segment that's still in its infancy. Unlike hard seltzers, which peaked quickly, the non-alcoholic movement is rooted in fundamental shifts: wellness, moderation, and mindfulness. And for Athletic, that's not just a business opportunity — it's a belief system. 'We've intentionally invited both drinkers and non-drinkers alike into the world of modern adult beverages. In many cases, this means recruiting drinkers back to the beer aisle and expanding into new populations. At the same time, we're giving everyone the option to enjoy a great-tasting adult alcohol alternative more often,' says Shufelt. 'By positioning Athletic as a chaser, pacer, and replacer, we're able to appeal not only to those who abstain from alcohol altogether but also to those who are looking to moderate their consumption. We're still in the early innings of what's possible for Athletic and the broader NA category, and we couldn't be more excited." \ Follow here for the most up to date information about the ever changing beer, wine, and spirits industry. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes The World's Best Vodkas—According To The 2025 International Wine And Spirit Competition By Hudson Lindenberger Forbes The Best Wheated Bourbon In America—According To The 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition By Hudson Lindenberger Forbes Bourbon Powerhouse Heaven Hill Dominates 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition By Hudson Lindenberger Forbes The Ultimate Beer Road Trip, Featuring Some Of America's Top Lagers By Hudson Lindenberger
NBC Sports
32 minutes ago
- NBC Sports
K'Andre Miller is eager for his new start after trade from New York Rangers to Carolina Hurricanes
K'Andre Miller kept his phone off and avoided social media in recent weeks with his future uncertain after five seasons with the New York Rangers. Now, he's eager to jump into the Carolina Hurricanes' aggressive system. The Hurricanes acquired the 25-year-old former first-round pick to bolster their blue line and gave him a long-term contract on the first official day of free agency. He joins a team that has made seven straight playoff trips and is coming off a third trip to the Eastern Conference final in that span. Carolina has a headlining defenseman in Jaccob Slavin, but is retooling that group with veterans Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov unlikely to return. The tweaks trading away defenseman Scott Morrow — a rising prospect pressed into playoff duty due to injuries — and draft picks to New York to land Miller. 'They have such a fast team,' Miller said in a Zoom call with reporters. 'They get up and down the ice in a fast motion and they do everything as a team. It's a fun group to watch and they've had a lot of success recently. So I'm excited to join that style of game, and they have a great team over there.' The Hurricanes project the 6-foot-5, 210-pound Miller as a strong fit with his size and skating ability. They're counting on him to bolster a system that relies on an aggressive forecheck to pressure opponents, get control of the puck and keep it to maintain pressure in the offensive zone. The Hurricanes are betting Miller is still on the rise, handing him an eight-year contract paying an average annual value of $7.5 million through the 2032-33 season. There certainly were flashes of it with the Rangers as a regular Metropolitan Division foe for the Hurricanes. The No. 22 overall pick in 2018 by the Rangers has played at least 74 regular-season games for four straight seasons, including posting 17 goals and 56 assists for 73 points over the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. But his play fell off last season as he went from looking like a Rangers building block to expendable, coming amid New York's overall crash from Presidents' Trophy winner in 2024 to six points out of a wild-card playoff spot this year. Afterward, Miller tried to tune out 'all the speculation and kind of noise and uncertainty with New York.' That meant focusing instead on getting stronger and getting mentally prepared for what's next. And now, that's a new start. 'I think there was a lot of noise throughout the season,' Miller said. 'So I think it was definitely in the back of my head that something could happen, might happen. I loved my time in New York and it was great, but I'm excited for what's to come in Carolina.'
