Yankees' Stanton says career 'incomplete' without championship

Slugger feels he needs a World Series title to cement his legacy in pinstripes

Feb. 19, 2026 at 10:55pm

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Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton believes his career will be "incomplete" unless he wins a World Series championship with the team. Now 36 and entering the final two guaranteed seasons of his contract, Stanton has dealt with numerous injuries over the past several years but remains a key part of the Yankees' lineup when healthy.

Why it matters

Stanton is one of the most prolific power hitters of his generation, but his tenure in New York has been defined by both his prodigious production and his inability to stay healthy. The Yankees' championship drought has reached over a decade, and Stanton's comments highlight the pressure he and the team face to finally capture that elusive title.

The details

Stanton, a five-time All-Star and the 2017 NL MVP, has a .258 average with 453 home runs and 1,169 RBIs in 16 MLB seasons. However, he has missed 266 of 708 games over the past five seasons due to a variety of injuries. Stanton hit .273 with 24 homers and 66 RBIs in 77 games last year after missing the first 70 games with elbow inflammation. He said the constant maintenance on his elbows is "not going anywhere" but that he's "ready to go" for the upcoming season.

  • Stanton is entering the final two guaranteed seasons of a $325 million, 13-year contract he signed with the Miami Marlins.
  • Stanton missed the first 70 games of the 2025 season due to elbow inflammation.

The players

Giancarlo Stanton

A 36-year-old slugger for the New York Yankees who has dealt with numerous injuries throughout his career but remains a key part of the team's lineup when healthy.

Aaron Boone

The manager of the New York Yankees, who praised Stanton's presence in the middle of the lineup.

Anthony Volpe

The Yankees' shortstop who underwent shoulder surgery in October 2025 and is hoping to return to the lineup in April 2026.

Miami Marlins

The team Stanton played for prior to being traded to the Yankees, and the team that is still paying part of his current contract.

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What they’re saying

“It's definitely incomplete. The point of being a Yankee is being a champion.”

— Giancarlo Stanton (abc7ny.com)

“With us over the last couple of years (having) become more and more left-handed, his presence in the middle is just really big. It's like having that guy lingering there, that's Big G in the middle.”

— Aaron Boone, Yankees Manager (abc7ny.com)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.