The New York Yankees may have won 6-3 yesterday but that win meant far more to Sonny Gray than gaining a game in the standings.
August 26 is a day that New York Yankees starter Sonny Gray can never forget.
And no, it’s not because the Yankees beat the Mariners and gained a game on the Boston Red Sox in the American League East standings.
According to a piece from the New York Times, Gray’s father passed away on this day in 2004 after a horrific car accident, early in the morning.
NYT also reported that this is the first time since 2004 that Gray has been scheduled to pitch on this anniversary. And he did it in style.
Despite what must have been an incredibly difficult day for Gray, he put together a masterpiece against Seattle. He put in seven innings of work while allowing three hits and one run. That marks his longest outing since joining the Yankees at the end of July.
In addition to that, he also struck out nine Mariners on the day.
“I’ve waited a long time to pitch on this date,” Gray said, as reported in the New York Times. “To me, this is an important day, a memorable day. This is what me and my dad did. We grew up and we played together, football, baseball.”
Gray is a true competitor but putting together this type of performance on such a difficult day sets him apart from everyone else.
What a victory for the Yankees but perhaps it’s an even bigger victory for Sonny Gray, who just showed that he always has been and will continue to be a fighter.
