Last season’s youthful stars stole the spotlight for the New York Yankees but here are some crazy highlights you likely forgot in the chaos.
Twenty-sixteen was quite the year in the Bronx. The New York Yankees started out weak only to come alive after the trade deadline, narrowly missing out on a playoff spot.That second half surge was dominated by the incredible performances from the Baby Bombers, especially Gary Sanchez. Without the contributions from these youngsters, the Yankees wouldn’t have likely made it over .500 for the season.
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However, that is all that is discussed about the 2016 season: the Baby Bombers and the actually trading done at the trade deadline. Is that all to remember about this unconventional season for the boys in pinstripes?
Not in the least. And it’s okay if you forgot these moments because I can guarantee you, they’ve slipped the minds of numerous fans.
Without further adieu, here are six forgotten highlights from the New York Yankees’ 2016 season.
6. Starlin Castro and Didi Gregorius set a record … together
With all the focus turned primarily towards Gary Sanchez, Aaron Judge and Tyler Austin, Starlin Castro and Didi Gregorius performed day in and day out. They became the first Yankees double-play team to slug 20 home runs each in the same season.
Not only that, it was the first time either player had reached 20 home runs in their entire career.
It may not necessarily seem like much since players are smacking over 40 and 50 home runs on various teams, but that output by this double-play duo is a sign of great things to come.
Learning just how powerful they are, especially in Yankee Stadium, will likely lead to better numbers down the road. Since they feed off of each other on the field, it is likely that they are also feeding off of each other’s at-bats and successes.
A couple of young studs, Gregorius and Castro may not get the media attention that Sanchez and Judge receive, but their quiet success was extremely fun for Yankees fans to watch.
5. Just Chris Parmelee
Ah, I can see the wheels turning as you read this topic. Yes, everything first baseman/designated hitter Chris Parmelee did for the Yankees this season was forgotten.
Why? Because as impressive as he was, he only played in six games last season.
In those six games, Parmelee slashed a .500/.500/1.375 line, including launching two home runs and driving in four RBIs. The two home runs were crushed in a convincing 12-6 win over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
He came out of the woodwork in Scranton and silenced critics who insisted the Yankees were wrong in not calling up Nick Swisher.
The 28-year-old succumbed to an injury after his magical start, injuring his right hamstring. The magic was over, but the memory of Chris Parmelee’s otherworldly performance in those two full games will live on forever.
4. When Mark Teixeira became the most savage troll on the field
Ah, the memories of Mark Teixeira this season were incredible. He capped off his career with a warm send-off from the Yankees fans and a walk-off grand slam that will go down in history.
However, nothing was greater than Teix’s personality coming out on the field. Not just once, but on multiple occasions.
It all started when the New York Mets and reliever Hansel Robles accused the eccentric first baseman of stealing their signs. The accusation then resulted in Tex faking signs to his batter and ultimately, announcing that he was in Robles’ head.
But that hilarious moment wasn’t the end of it. Later in the season, he launched a game-tying home run against the Toronto Blue Jays and proceeded to uncharacteristically flip his bat.
To add insult to injury, he also barked “blown save” to pitcher Jason Grilli after he returned to the dugout.
For a guy who tends to remain serious on the field, this was out of character. However, it sure as hell made for some entertaining clips.
3. Kirby Yates hits three batters
Oh, you don’t remember that? When Kirby Yates hit three batters one inning? Yeah, now it’s starting to come back.
What is probably considered a low for the season, this is a moment many have forgotten, probably because it was embarrassing, painful to watch, etc. However, he is now tied for first in batters hit in one inning. That’s an accomplishment!
In the Yankees’ excruciating loss to the Texas Rangers on their own home turf, Yates takes the blame. Coming in to replace Aroldis Chapman after he was forced to sit for a three and a half hour rain delay, Yates imploded. Not only did he hit three batters, he allowed four runs and cost the Yankees a much-needed victory.
What’s more impressive? Yates joins an elite club of former Yankees who have all hit three batters in the same inning (Tom Morgan, Javier Vazquez and Cesar Cabral).
Not the club you want to join, Yates. Who knows? Maybe he could break his own record with the Angels this year.
2. Tommy Layne becomes a New York icon in Toronto
The former Boston Red Sox pitcher earned his stripes, thanks to a wild game in Toronto.
The Sept. 27 game is popular for the two fights that broke out between the Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays. However, perhaps the biggest play of the game often goes overlooked.
With the game going downhill and the Yankees’ lead cut to two, Layne took over for Dellin Betances. With the bases loaded, former Yankee Russell Martin poked a dribbler between the mound and the plate. That’s when the magic happened.
Layne’s athletic play, diving into home plate and giving up his body for the team, is underappreciated in every way. While his name doesn’t come up much in casual conversations, that play will forever be ingrained in any baseball fan’s mind.
I guess you could say he was Layne it all on the line. Thank you, I’ll be here ’til Sunday.
1. Dustin Ackley saves the game … for a little while
Dustin Ackley didn’t have a starting role in the Yankees organization, and that was okay for him. Because when he did come in, he did stuff like this that proved that he can get the job done.
Although it was all the way back in May, the Yankees were struggling mightily and desperately needed a win over their division rival Baltimore Orioles. Ackley did everything in his power to try to save the game.
With a tie game in the bottom of the ninth and runner on with no outs, the Orioles were threatening to hand the Yankees another heartbreaking loss. That is, until Ackley made an improbable catch up against the right field wall and then promptly doubled off the runner.
What? From a utility player? In his second career start in right field? Okay, that was cool. After replay confirmed it, the Yankees only got crushed with a 1-0 defeat just an inning later.
Well, it was fun while it lasted. It was even better to watch Ackley come up big for the Yankees.
The Yankees had some memorable moments last year, but it’s even better to weed through the big moments that maybe weren’t as popular. Now we wait for more to come this year.