Andrew Buller-Russ
We’re just days away from the start of MLB’s regular season, and suddenly, the Miami Marlins are one of the biggest talking points in baseball. The reason is due to 2022 All-Star Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s recent controversial comments about the “toxic” clubhouse he has been a part of throughout the early portion of the 26-year-old’s career in Miami.
According to Chisholm Jr., the first three seasons of his Marlins tenure were the “worst three years probably of my life.” While that sounds bad, Chisholm wasn’t done. In fact, he was just getting started.
“I was already a team leader without being called a team leader. You can’t be a team leader when you’ve got guys that’s been in the clubhouse that’s been in there nine or 10 years even though they suck. They’ve been there for nine or 10 years and the team calls them the team captain. But they’re not a good captain, they’re not a good person, you’re not even a good athlete at this point. You’re just here and you’re bringing down the young guys that are supposed to be good.”
Miami Marlins’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. putting former teammate on blast
Chisholm also recalled a time when a rising prospect who grew up idolizing Juan Soto did a ‘Soto Shuffle’ in the dugout, only to be criticized by fellow teammates.
“What do you mean bro? He’s having fun. We’re playing a f—— kid’s game.”
Chisholm, continued
According to The Athletic, Chisholm’s team leadershup comments were directed at Miguel Rojas, who joined the Los Angeles Dodgers last season after eight years with the Marlins. Rojas has a career OPS of .665, an OPS+ of 82, and a batting average of .257.
However, former Marlins team president David Samson felt the opposite was true about Rojas, He insists the Dodgers infielder is a great human.
“In the hundreds if not thousands of players that I’ve had in my career, Miguel Rojas is one of the best people that I’ve come across. So for (Chisholm) to say that Miguel Rojas is a bad person is incredibly disingenuous.”
Former Miami Marlins president David Samson on Miguel Rojas/Jazz Chisholm beef
Meanwhile, Samson turned the tables and began criticizing Chisholm instead, questioning his durability, saying he’s accomplished “nothing” in the game of baseball. He also indicated Chisholm’s appearance on last year’s version of MLB The Show was only done as a favor from Derek Jeter, who previously shared partial ownership of the Marlins.
Samson also went on to state that Chisholm benefitted from the departures of longtime Marlins vets such as Jeff Conine and Mike Lowell “because they would have kicked your ass, and that would have been the end of you.”
“For him to say that Miguel Rojas is a bad person is incredibly disingenuous…What have you done Jazz? Nothing…
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) March 20, 2024
…they would’ve kicked your ass and that would have been the end of you…”
– @DavidPSamson has strong words for Marlins Second Baseman/Centerfielder, Jazz Chisholm… pic.twitter.com/POfOY5ZcH8
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