It’s still early in the 2025 MLB season, but New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. is already off to a blistering start at the plate—and an even stranger one in the dugout.
With six home runs under his belt already, Chisholm is well on pace to surpass his career-high of 24 homers from last season. That’s great news for the Yankees offense… but not-so-great news for assistant hitting coach Pat Roessler.
Why? Because with every home run Chisholm hits, he celebrates in a very unusual way: by biting Roessler.
Yes, you read that right. The electric, unpredictable Jazz Chisholm Jr. has made a habit of sinking his teeth—literally—into the man tasked with helping him stay hot at the plate.
The tradition has left fans and media puzzled. Even the Yankees themselves don’t fully understand what’s behind it. According to a report from the New York Daily News, no one seems to have a concrete explanation except for Chisholm himself, who offered a simple and heartfelt reason for the bizarre behavior: it’s a sign of love.
“He works with me every day, talks to me every day,” Chisholm explained. “He treats all of us like his sons, and you can’t ask for better from a hitting coach. To always be there for you no matter what you’re going through, nothing changes. He stays by your side.”
That loyalty meant a lot to Chisholm during a recent rough patch. Battling a brutal 0-for-24 slump and trying to adjust to the cold early-season weather—a condition he openly admits he’s not a fan of—Chisholm found encouragement and consistency in Roessler. The assistant coach never wavered in his support, and it paid off. On April 13, Chisholm broke out of the slump with a home run… and immediately celebrated with what’s become his signature bite.
And while Roessler might not be thrilled about the unusual affection, he’s taking it in stride.
“He’s very playful,” Roessler told the Daily News, making it clear that he understands Chisholm’s wild personality is just part of the package. That said, the more homers Chisholm hits, the more Roessler might want to consider investing in some protective gear—or at least negotiating a gentler post-homer ritual.
The incident has quickly become a lighthearted talking point among Yankees fans and the baseball community at large, with social media reacting in disbelief and amusement. For a franchise often associated with tradition and formality, Chisholm’s quirky celebration is a breath of fresh air—and a reminder that the game, at its core, is meant to be fun.
Still, with 156 games left on the schedule, one has to wonder: if Chisholm continues this home run pace, will Roessler survive the season unscathed?
For now, the Yankees will take the production—and Roessler will take the bites—as long as the balls keep flying out of the park.
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