Stanton Fueled by Fairy-Tale Ending in Bronx

Yankees slugger seeks first title after coming close in 2024

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Giancarlo Stanton enters his ninth season with the New York Yankees, still seeking his first championship with the team. Despite coming close in 2024 when the Yankees lost to the Dodgers in the World Series, Stanton remains motivated to deliver a title for the franchise and complete what he calls an "incomplete story" in pinstripes.

Why it matters

Stanton's arrival in New York in 2018 alongside Aaron Judge was expected to usher in an era of dominance for the Yankees, but they have yet to win a World Series. As one of the game's most prolific power hitters, Stanton's quest for a championship in the Bronx has taken on added significance, both for his own legacy and the team's championship aspirations.

The details

Stanton, the 2017 National League MVP, has produced plenty of big moments for the Yankees, including earning ALCS MVP honors in 2024. However, the team's World Series loss to the Dodgers that year left him determined to finally capture that elusive title. Despite dealing with persistent elbow issues, Stanton remains focused on helping the Yankees overcome the Blue Jays and the rest of the AL East to reach the promised land.

  • Stanton was traded to the Yankees in the winter of 2017, ahead of the 2018 season.
  • The Yankees lost to the Dodgers in the 2024 World Series.
  • Stanton spoke up to his teammates about not wearing their 2024 ALCS championship rings in public, saying "This isn't the one we wanted."

The players

Giancarlo Stanton

A nine-year veteran of the Yankees, Stanton is one of the most prolific power hitters in baseball but has yet to win a World Series title with the team.

Aaron Judge

Stanton's teammate and fellow slugger, who was the American League Rookie of the Year the same year Stanton was traded to the Yankees.

Aaron Boone

The current manager of the New York Yankees, who has overseen the team's near-misses in recent years and is tasked with guiding them to their first championship with Stanton.

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What they’re saying

“You've got to get over the hump. Obviously, the goal is the World Series. The goal is a championship, but you've got to do what's in between – not to get there, but to complete it.”

— Giancarlo Stanton (mlb.com)

“This isn't the one we wanted.”

— Giancarlo Stanton (mlb.com)

“He's evolved, how he trains, how he takes care of himself. In a perfect way, he's healthy the whole way. I'll be proactive with giving him [rest] days, just to be able to keep him healthier long term.”

— Aaron Boone, Yankees Manager (mlb.com)

What’s next

The Yankees will be looking to overcome the rival Blue Jays and the rest of the stacked AL East to reach the World Series again in 2026 and give Stanton his first championship.

The takeaway

Stanton's quest for a title in New York has become a defining narrative of his career, as the Yankees have come close but fallen short. His determination to complete the "story" and deliver a championship for the franchise underscores the high stakes and expectations surrounding one of baseball's most fearsome power hitters.