Alex Verdugo off to flying start with NY Yankees, embracing the new Bronx 'dawgs'
NEW YORK — The minute Alex Verdugo likened the 2024 Yankees to a bunch of battling Bronx “dawgs," you could envision the next line of team-inspired t-shirts.
Verdugo was wearing one of them Tuesday night, after his first Yankee Stadium home run in pinstripes helped the Yankees to their latest victory.
And that towering, second inning shot to right cued another round of barks in the park.
“I love it, anytime I hear the teammates barking," Verdugo said after a 3-2 win against the Miami Marlins, improving the Yanks’ record to 10-2 out of the gate.
Verdugo said his first Stadium homer as a Yankee "really didn’t sink in" until Aaron Judge (double, 3 walks) mentioned it to him, probably amid a chorus of barks.
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As Verdugo put it, those dugout barks might start as a yapping chihuahua. “But the more damage you do, the deeper the bass gets, and it turns into a big dog.
“It’s a lot of fun, they’re running with it and we love it."
Small sample size, encouraging Yankees signs
Yes, we’re still firmly in Small Sample Size Theater, and yes these were the 1-11 Marlins, who somehow weren’t down by eight runs Tuesday (the Yanks left 11 runners on base).
But it’s the fourth time in franchise history they’ve won 10 of their first 12 decisions.
Plus, Yankees Universe has fully embraced the newcomers on this team, led by Juan Soto and including Verdugo – a castoff from the despised Red Sox, whose conduct at times during his Boston tenure drew the ire of manager Alex Cora.
A new passion in pinstripes
Talking about fresh starts, Carlos Rodon - a pitcher who felt like a villain here last year - is getting ovations for his opening Bronx performance, pitching into Tuesday’s seventh inning.
Verdugo had even sparred with Yankees fans in the past but respected their pinstriped passion.
These days, it’s a genuine love affair between the fans and Soto and Verdugo, both playing in a free agent walk year but thoroughly enjoying their initial Yankee experience.
“I played against a lot of these guys for a long time, respected their careers and what they’ve done," said Verdugo. “They’ve done a really good job of welcoming me and letting me be myself.
“Just with that, I’m able to show my energy (and) we’ve got some new faces that are bringing a new vibe a little bit," with the winning element allowing them to “show their personality a little bit more."
The Yankees' winning ways
Already with their fourth straight series win to open the season, “this is the way we expect to play,’’ said Verdugo, who began heating up with three hits and a walk in Monday’s 7-0 win.
Still, Verdugo contributed to the Yanks’ hot start with excellent left field defense and timely hits, including a 10th-inning, two-run homer last Wednesday at Arizona.
“Even through the first 10 days, or whatever it was, there were a couple good at-bats in there where I felt my swing was clicking."
Giancarlo Stanton’s RBI double in the fifth and Soto’s RBI single in the sixth gave the Yanks a 3-0 lead.
Anthony Rizzo’s fielding error led to two unearned runs off Rodon in the seventh, and led to his reluctant exit.
“I wanted the ball, but it’s pretty easy to give it to Ian Hamilton," Rodon said of the sharp right-hander, whose two hitless innings bridged Clay Holmes quick save, his fifth of the year.
In another good sign, Rodon expanded his fastball-slider repertoire to keep Miami off balance with effective cutters and changeups.
“Just keep going, the confidence is growing," said Rodon, who posted a 6.85 ERA in 14 starts last year.
And the dawgs keep barking.
“To hear the crowd out there barking, to see everybody kind of running with it has been a lot of fun," Verdugo said. “And who doesn’t like to bark, right?"