The New York Yankees are under fire following the revelation that their fifth-round MLB draft pick, Core Jackson, once drew a swastika on a Jewish student's dorm room door, The Guardian reports.
The incident, which occurred in 2021 when Jackson was a freshman at the University of Nebraska, has brought intense scrutiny to the team's decision.
Jackson, a shortstop from the University of Utah, told The Athletic that he was "blackout drunk" at the time and had no memory of the event. He stated, "I felt like the worst person in the world." Following the incident, he was disciplined by the university with a fine and community service but was not suspended from the team.
Despite the backlash, the Yankees are standing by their choice. According to The Athletic, the team's amateur scouting director, Damon Oppenheimer, said the team conducted the most extensive background check of his 23-year tenure.
The final decision to draft Jackson was approved by owner Hal Steinbrenner and had the support of Jewish officials within the organization, including team president Randy Levine.
Jackson, who signed a contract for $147,500, a value well below his draft slot, has already reported to the team's High-A affiliate.
Jackson's agent, Blake Corosky, considered dropping him as a client but ultimately continued under two conditions, according to The Guardian report. First, Jackson was required to disclose the incident to every MLB team before the 2024 draft. Second, he had to work with Diamondbacks prospect Jacob Steinmetz, who is the first practicing Orthodox Jewish player ever drafted.
Jackson, who grew up in a Christian home, admitted he knew little about Judaism or the historical significance of the swastika. “That doesn’t excuse it,” he said, “But it shows how much I had to learn.”
Despite his past, Jackson remains focused on his future, both on and off the field. “I think it’s important that this is part of my story,” he said. “God has given me this platform, and I want to use it to show forgiveness and growth.”