During MLB All-Star media day, Jazz Chisholm Jr. found himself in the spotlight not only for his debut in the Home Run Derby but also for an entertaining exchange with 13-time All-Star Ken Griffey Jr. The New York Yankees posted a video highlighting Chisholm’s day mic’d up, which included his reaction to Griffey Jr.’s story of encountering a shark while night diving back in 2000.
Griffey Jr. recalled training dives required for certification, during which he descended as deep as 190 feet underwater. Early in one dive, he came face-to-face with a shark but remained unbothered by the creature swimming near him.
“In 2000, I did 60 dives in six weeks to get certain certifications,” Griffey Jr. said (1:00). “So I went down. The deepest I’ve gone was like 190 feet. That’s a little bit too far for me. Well, the funny thing is, the first thing I saw when I went down there — and speaking of shark meat — it was a shark. I know, you were scared as… I looked and said, ‘Poo-poo,’ and just went off.
“I was like, okay, I can go down a little deeper. Then I got to like 60 feet, and a reef shark swam right by me. I just looked. They don’t bother you. They don’t bother you.”
Responding with humor, Chisholm Jr. offered his own take on getting close to sharks, adding a personal twist to Griffey Jr.’s calm encounter.
“Until you get bit on the a**,” Chisholm said. “Then they bother you. I ain’t doing that. You ain’t gotta worry about me, OG. I ain’t night diving.”
Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s Struggles in the 2025 Home Run Derby and All-Star Game
While Chisholm’s off-field moment brought smiles, his performance in the 2025 Home Run Derby did not meet expectations. Competing for the first time at Truist Park in Atlanta, he hit just three home runs in the initial round, the lowest among all contestants, leading to an early elimination. Matt Olson was the next lowest competitor, with a significantly higher tally of 15 homers.
During the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, Chisholm started at second base for the American League but unfortunately went 0-for-3 at the plate. Even so, his primary aim was to enjoy the event and return healthy amid the intense schedule.
Chisholm’s regular-season performance, however, shows promise; he maintained a .250 batting average with 17 home runs and 10 stolen bases so far in the 2025 campaign, demonstrating his value as a versatile infielder for the New York Yankees.
The Importance of Chisholm’s Shark Story and 2025 Season Outlook
Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s playful response to Ken Griffey Jr.’s shark story stands out amid a challenging period for the second baseman, highlighting his humor despite on-field struggles. This episode not only lightened the mood but also connected two generations of baseball talent through a memorable anecdote.
Looking ahead, Chisholm faces the task of improving his consistency and impact after a disappointing All-Star week. His role with the Yankees remains pivotal, and fans will be watching closely as he aims to build on his solid regular-season stats and grow into a more reliable contributor during critical moments.