Dillon Lawson Returns to Yankee Stadium After Dismissal

Dillon Lawson made his way back to Yankee Stadium on Friday, just a few months after being let go as the Yankees’ hitting coach in July 2023.

Currently, he holds the position of assistant hitting coach for the Red Sox, following his role last season as the hitting coordinator for the organization.

“It was a really great experience, even if it didn’t end as I would have hoped,” Lawson remarked about his time with the Yankees before the series opener on Friday. “But, all in all, it was still quite the experience.”

During his time with the Yankees, Lawson was feeling the pressure, especially towards the end, with both the team’s players and coaching staff struggling offensively. A week before his firing, he reflected on the situation, mentioning, “We have the potential to be as good as any team in baseball, but we need to step up… no excuses for being shut down.”

He now believes he’s a better coach than when he was with the Yankees, having spent four years as their hitting coordinator. “I think there’s a lot that comes with this job,” Lawson said, comparing coaching at the major league level to being a parent. “You might think you know, but there are things you can’t understand until you’re in it.”

Lawson chose not to discuss any specific adjustments he would implement if he were still with the Yankees.

He recalled how injuries, like Aaron Judge’s toe issue sustained at Dodger Stadium earlier that season, disrupted the Yankees’ lineup. Coupled with struggles from players like DJ LeMahieu, Giancarlo Stanton, and Anthony Rizzo, there were indeed several problems impacting the team before Judge’s return.

He also highlighted Matt Carpenter’s impressive comeback season in 2022, where he set the franchise home run record as a key moment during his time there. “Experiencing that and moving on to another strong organization, I’ll take what I’ve learned with me,” Lawson said. “I have no regrets.”

What stood out about Lawson’s dismissal was its timing—it was mid-season. Reflecting on this, he shared, “If it had been at the end of the year or at any other time, it might have bothered me more. I spent more time with them than many other organizations I’ve been with.”

“People get fired in this business and everyone says not to take it personally,” Lawson said. “But when it’s you, it’s hard not to. It stings, but I appreciate that the feeling didn’t linger.”