Levine Says Fans Call Him Stupid

Yankees president Randy Levine said fans tell him he is stupid after the team's early playoff exit.

Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Baseball

Expressive painterly sports illustration of a batter in navy pinstripes mid-swing under stadium floodlights, with navy and red team colors in the frame. — Yankees president Randy Levine said Tuesday that fans have called him stupid on the street after the team was swept by the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL Division Series. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Yankees president Randy Levine said fans tell him he is stupid when he walks down the street, following the team's sweep by the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Division Series. Levine said he understands fans' anger and concern.

Why it matters

The Yankees' early exit extends a World Series championship drought to 17 seasons, intensifying fan frustration in New York. Levine made the comments in an interview with Fox News' Craig Carton, saying he shares the concerns of owner Hal Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman.

The Yankees' World Series drought stands at 17 seasons, and manager Aaron Boone has led the club for nine seasons without a title. Levine's account of fan reaction is anecdotal, and no broader survey of fan opinion was cited.

The players

Randy Levine

Longtime Yankees president since 2000, who is also a friend of President Donald Trump and was picked by Trump to co-lead the Council on College Sports.

Hal Steinbrenner

Owner of the New York Yankees, whose concerns about the team's performance Levine said he shares.

Brian Cashman

General manager of the New York Yankees, whose concerns about the team's performance Levine said he shares.

Craig Carton

Fox News host who interviewed Levine about the Yankees' playoff exit.

The details

Levine, who has served as Yankees president since 2000, made the remarks in an interview with Fox News' Craig Carton after the club was swept by the Tampa Bay Rays. He said he understands fans' anger and concern while noting that people tell him he is stupid when he walks down the street.

October 2026: Yankees swept by Rays in the American League Division Series.
Earlier this year (2026): Trump picked Levine to lead the Council on College Sports with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Season Trajectory

The Yankees' sweep extends a championship drought now at 17 seasons, the longest stretch of the franchise's modern era under its current leadership. The early playoff exit places further pressure on Boone's nine-season tenure without a title.

The Yankees' early exit means New York baseball fans will not see the club advance in this postseason, shaping how they follow the team through the offseason. Fantasy and roster planning for Yankees-linked players will shift as the club evaluates its approach ahead of next season.

The takeaway

Fan frustration over repeated early postseason exits is a recurring pressure point for the Yankees, and leadership comments like Levine's show the front office is aware of it. Readers following the franchise can track how ownership responds in the coming offseason.