The Boys Are Back in Town

The Yankees do one thing right, and that’s always going big or going home. Opening day brought nothing less than that with bright blue skies, another record, and of course a win.

Photo Courtesy of: MLB.com

By Giselle Hernandez

NEW YORK, March 30— Opening Day brought the Bronx the MVP, the Ace, and the Rookie all to Yankee Stadium in a 5-0 win against San Francisco.

The Bronx Bombers welcomed the start of a new season with a new Captain since Derek Jeter’s retirement in 2014, Aaron Judge.

If you’ve been living under a rock, Judge had an indescribable 2022 season finishing with 62 home runs—setting a new single season record for the Yankees and the American League.

No. 99 finished first in the AL in home runs, RBIs (131), and OPS (1.111). He completed the 2022 season with a .311 average, fifth in the AL.

The Captain also took home the AL MVP after much back and forth debate on whether he or Shohei Ohtani would take the crown.

However, much like the loss postseason dealt fans, the off-season also had everyone on the edge of their seats, with hearts racing and much uncertainty.

‘Arson Judge’ made the decision to explore free agency, testing the waters with teams like the very San Francisco Giants, who were dealt a loss on Opening Day.

Like many of you may recall, for a split second Yankee fans saw their whole world crumbling down when news broke that Judge was signing a multi-year deal with the Giants.

Fortunately (for us), it was all lore. And the very next day, the Captain re-signed a nine-year, 360 million dollar contract to remain in pinstripes. At his press conference, he was formally introduced as the new Captain of the New York Yankees.

Fast forward to Opening Day, the man himself went yard, hitting a bomb to center field on his first at bat. Judge finished with two RBIs, and a .500 average.

“I was really just trying to elevate a pitch and get it in the air…get the party going,” said Judge of his homer. “Just trying to pick up my teammates.”

I think it’s safe to say he will have another legendary season.

The Ace of the Bronx Bombers, Gerrit Cole, had a less than impressive 2022 season for such a title, leaving many to ponder whether Nestor Cortes should have been named starter for the ALDS.

Not only did he have the worst WAR and ERA since 2017 (2.4 and .350), his final year with Pittsburgh, but Cole was out as a favorite for the AL Cy Young award.

Nonetheless, he went, he saw, he conquered and proved himself during the division series setting the tone in his first postseason home start.

“It was very special for me,” he said.

Cole came into the 2023 season eclipsing Ron Guidry’s strikeout record for the Yankees (257+), and earning his first win for the year.

He had a field day, pitching six innings, earning 11 strike outs [a Yankees Opening Day record], two BB, and zero earned runs.

"Opening Days are always really special for players, whether you throw the first pitch of the season or just the first pitch of your Opening Day game." Cole said afterwards. "It’s a really cool experience.“

In other news, the Yankees welcomed a new face to the roster, the Rookie, Anthony Volpe, who shone bright like a star during spring training.

Volpe, a New Jersey native, and the youngest Yankee to start Opening Day since Jeter in 1996 was drafted by New York in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft.

The new shortstop for the Yankees was assigned to the Somerset Patriots at the start of the 2022 season, where he made a dent in his statistics, finishing with a .252 average, 18 home runs, and 60 RBIs in 109 games. Eventually he was promoted to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRaiders.

Volpe was invited to spring training to compete for a roster spot. And on March 26, 2023, the Yankees officially announced their new shortstop, No. 11, had made the Opening Day roster—a dream he has had since a young kid.

No. 11 was previously worn by long-time Yankee, Brett Gardner who has yet to receive his flowers from the organization.

Gardner, who is currently a free agent, last played for the Yankees in 2021, making him the final remaining member of the 2009 World Series team. Unfortunately, Gardner has yet to be signed by another team, preferring to return to play in pinstripes.

The base stealing legend finished his last playing season with a .222 average, 39 RBIs, 274 stolen bases, and 139 home runs.

Before agreeing to wear the double-ones, Volpe called Gardner and asked for his blessing, that of which Gardner happily gave, wishing the 21-year-old, “all the best,” according to Joe Buck, Gardner’s agent.

In his first appearance as a Yankee, Volpe earned a walk and stolen base finishing with an OPS of .333.

"It was probably the most fun day of my entire life," Volpe said. "The pregame festivities, I probably had goosebumps the whole day.”

Needless to say, ‘Volpening Day’ was a success for the rookie, and brilliant short stop.

Yet, while the Yankees took the first win of the series, one can only wonder: what can fans look forward to for the rest of the season? Is this the year fans will finally welcome banner No. 28?

While there are key injuries plaguing the team as they start the season, and pressure from the significant underperformance in last year’s ALCS, there is hype and hope for the Yankees.

“Winning on Opening Day is meaningful,” said manager Aaron Boone. “This is the start of it for real.”

Ultimately, they must face adverse effects and overcome them to come out on top, and be the Kings of New York once again.