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Yankees Drafted Shortstop Who Drew Swastika, Cite Redemption Efforts

When the New York Yankees selected University of Utah shortstop Core Jackson in the fifth round of the July draft, they did so fully aware of a disturbing incident from his past. As The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty and Keith Law reported, Jackson admitted that he drew a swastika on the dorm room door of a Jewish student in 2021 while a freshman at the University of Nebraska.

He says the act happened during a blackout state of drunkenness, one that he has called the “worst mistake” of his life. But the Yankees, after months of internal vetting and consultations with Jewish members of the organization, still decided to move forward with the pick.


A Troubled Past That Impacted His Career

Jackson, now 21, disclosed the incident himself, telling teams about it during the 2024 draft process. According to The Athletic, he explained that he had no recollection of why he drew the swastika, but that he broke down the next day when he learned what he had done. The University of Nebraska fined him, ordered community service, and required sensitivity training. He avoided arrest and kept playing for the baseball team that spring.

He later transferred to South Mountain Community College in Utah, where his performance once again attracted scouts. But his personal record carried another blemish: a 2024 impaired driving charge in Utah, reduced from a DUI, for which he completed community service and substance abuse training.

Despite those issues, Jackson hit .363 at Utah last spring and impressed scouts with his arm strength and athleticism. His agent, Blake Corosky, told The Athletic the past clearly dragged down his draft stock, noting that his client likely would have gone much higher without the incident.

Jackson also worked with Elliot Steinmetz, the basketball coach at Yeshiva University, and completed a five-week Holocaust education course designed by a graduate student at the school. Both Steinmetz and the instructor said he engaged fully, though Steinmetz noted that Jackson initially showed little understanding of the swastika’s history.


The Yankees’ Vetting Process and Risk

Yankees scouting director Damon Oppenheimer told The Athletic this marked the most extensive background check he had conducted in 23 years. The process included multiple conversations with Jackson, his agent, and Jewish members of the organization. Owner Hal Steinbrenner, rarely involved in mid-round draft selections, personally approved the move before the pick.

Oppenheimer emphasized that Jackson’s remorse and willingness to take accountability shaped the team’s choice. “He’s shown his accountability here,” Oppenheimer said, pointing out that Jackson voluntarily informed every MLB team about his actions. The Yankees, however, chose not to speak with officials at Nebraska about the matter.

The decision carries risk, especially in New York, home to the largest Jewish community outside of Israel. According to the United Jewish Appeal-Federation of New York, about 1.4 million Jewish people live there.

Jackson told The Athletic he wants to use his platform to share his story of forgiveness and personal growth. “I would ask for their forgiveness and let them know I’m not the same person I was when that happened,” he said. “I’ve grown up. I’ve learned.”

The Yankees signed him at $147,500, well under the $411,100 pick slot, and placed him with High-A Hudson Valley. Oppenheimer said player development staff already know his history and believe in his rehabilitation.

Whether fans accept him remains uncertain. To some, the choice looks like an organization willing to overlook a dark chapter for talent’s sake. To others, it’s a gamble that redemption can outweigh past hate. One source told The Athletic: “It’s not redeemable if you think it’s just a joke. It’s redeemable if you do the work.”

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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

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