Former New York Yankees infielder Yangervis Solarte returned to action just one week after his wife’s passing.
Returning to action a week after the passing of his wife, former New York Yankees infielder Yangervis Solarte came up to bat at the sound of a standing ovation from the Sand Diego crowd.
Solarte’s wife Yuliett passed away on September 17 due to complications from cancer.
Solarte came off the bench in a 6-5 game in the 7th-inning with two outs and delivered, smashing a single into left field and then pointing his fingers to the sky once he got to first. He would then advance to second and be pinch-ran for Travis Jankowski, who would then score the tying run.
Following the game Solarte told press:
“In that moment I was going up there just to help the team. At the same time I was thinking about her as I was starting a life without her,” Solarte said. “It was one of those moments just where you have to continue on and play hard.”
It was a great moment for Solarte to get the single honoring his late wife in his first game back.
With a tragic week in baseball, it is important to remember that these players are real people and tragedies happen. It is also important to support these families in their time of need.