With the Yankees down in Tampa, let’s look back at some of the most memorable moments from Yankees spring training.
Aaron Judge’s monster home run in 2019
Judge had a masterful rookie season in 2017, but the outfielder was bit by the injury bug in 2018.
The future AL MVP played just 112 games that year thanks to a wrist injury and a partially torn UCL in his left elbow, so it was a great sight to see when Judge launched a ball 495 feet in his first spring training at-bat in 2019.
The home run set a new record for the longest home run hit at George M. Steinbrenner Field. While Judge would be slowed down by injuries, again, in 2019 it was a sign of things to come. No. 99 would go on to hit six home runs that spring and prove that he is the Yankees’ best player.
Now batting…Billy Crystal
Legendary actor and noted Yankee fan, Billy Crystal, was able to — somewhat — live out his dream and play for the Yankees.
New York signed Crystal to a minor league contract and allowed the 61* director to be a part of the team for one spring training game and even get an at-bat in 2008.
While the then 59-year-old would strike out to Pirates pitcher Paul Maholm on a 3-2 cutter, it was a moment he or the fans in attendance would not forget.
“It was the greatest thing ever,” Crystal said. “The Oscars, the movies — those are all great. I’m grateful. But I can always say I led off a game for the Yankees, and that’s phenomenal.”
Spring 1996 – the start of a dynasty
Spring training 1996 was an important one for the Yankees.
Joe Torre began his first spring as manager of the Bombers, Bernie Williams solidified his spot as the team’s everyday center fielder after George toyed with the idea of trading him a season prior, and Derek Jeter became the everyday shortstop.
In his first game that spring, Jeter went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI and wound up hitting .314 that spring.
He would go on to win Rookie of the Year and, of course, the team would go on to win their first World Series since 1978 and the first in their four-championship dynasty.
Derek Jeter announces his retirement
The Yankees are in the midst of a rough stretch of seasons where they didn’t come close to making the World Series.
On top of that, Jeter has been injury-plagued and his age is becoming a factor in the organization. But that didn’t take away from the surprise the fans and the baseball world had when he announced his retirement in February 2014, prior to spring training.
In a letter to the fans, Jeter cited his mounting injuries and the struggles he had getting back on the field as his reasons, so when he arrived for spring training for the last time it was a scene.
Press from all over descended upon Tampa to hear Jeter speak for the first time since his announcement. In his first public comments, he reiterated why he decided to retire at the end of the season, but stressed that he was looking forward to working to get the Yankees one last World Series with him.
While the 2014 campaign wouldn’t result in a playoff berth for the Yankees, Jeter got to leave on his own terms.
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