The postseason is finally here. Let’s take a look back at some of the greatest New York Yankees games from the 2019 regular season.
Friday is just another day, but when 7:07 p.m. ET hits, all bets are off. The entire New York Yankees regular season doesn’t matter anymore. Now, it’s all about the next month. It’s all on the line for this Yankees squad.
With adrenaline pumping and nerves escalating, the countdown until Friday is down to mere days. The Bronx will be buzzing, much like the YES Network has promised all season long. Except this time, every game is do-or-die. No more “there are 161 more games” mentality. It’s time to do work or the regular season means absolutely nothing.
Pumped yet? If you’re not, ESNY guarantees that we’ll be able to fix that in a matter of minutes. How, exactly? Well, take a gander at some videos below.
I must warn you: these videos contain graphic content. In fact, if you don’t appreciate seeing the New York Yankees stomp on the throats of other teams and dash their playoff hopes, I would suggest looking away.
But if you’re about that kind of drive and passion behind the 103-win Bronx Bombers, stick with us. And maybe run through a wall afterward. It’s the only way we know how to prepare for Friday night.
6. LA Belongs To The Bombers
Down 5-0 against the Angels? Not a problem for these Bronx Bombers. The Yankees become comeback kings early on in the season with an impressive win on the road on April 24.
DJ LeMahieu made his presence known, driving in the first Yankees run of the game to cut the deficit to 5-1 in the sixth before scoring on a wild pitch. After a bases-loaded walk in the top of the seventh, LeMahieu plated another run with a sacrifice fly, cutting the deficit to just one. Luke Voit tied the game with a fielder’s choice.
But the true magic came in the top of the ninth inning for the Yankees. LeMahieu’s RBI single proved just how valuable this guy is to the team. And, guess what? He would do it several more times throughout the season.
Here in LA, the legend of LeMahieu was born. They’re writing the movie script as we speak.
5. Gardy Goes Yardy In Grand Style
Low-key team leader Brett Gardner destroying the Boston Red Sox? Put it on the list.
Not only was this grand slam a huge hit, but it was also his 100th career home run. What a wonderful night for the veteran outfielder.
A 3-1 deficit and a 0-2 count? Not a problem for Brett Gardner. Gardy took the offering deep into right field and caused many fans to explode with sheer joy.
Good for Gardy and a great win for the Yankees. It was just the start of what would eventually become a 103-win season for the Bombers.
4. Taking The Trop In Extras
A day after July 4th and the Yankees are still lighting fireworks. This time, they beat their division rivals in pretty incredible fashion.
Things remained pretty tame for much of the game, all knotted at four at the conclusion of the ninth inning. Things really started to get intense in the top of the 11th for the Bombers.
Aaron Judge broke the tie with a homer and Brett Gardner did damage with his own three-run home run. Then Aroldis Chapman came in, loaded the bases and worked out of the jam.
Fireworks on the 5th of July for the Yankees! It also made for a far more memorable game for the rest of the season.
3. Built Ford Tough
A more recent addition to the list, this game was pretty memorable in that the Yankees put together a stellar ninth inning comeback and beat fellow playoff opponent the Oakland A’s.
Down 4-0 heading into the bottom of the eighth, the Yankees delivered yet another exciting comeback by scoring one run early. Didi Gregorius then lined a two-run single to bring the score to 4-3 in favor of the A’s.
Now comes the bottom of the ninth. Mr. Clutch Brett Gardner delivered a solo shot to tie the game. Next up to the plate? Clint Frazier.
Wait … actually, Mike Ford comes in to pinch-hit. What? Wow.
And Ford absolutely crushes his first career walk-off home run. What a memorable day for the rookie who spend far too much time rotting away in the minors. Just goes to show that this kid of Ford tough.
2. Comeback Kids
A win over the Tampa Bay Rays? Always a good time. A comeback win over the Tampa Bay Rays? That’s the good stuff.
This time in the Bronx, the Yankees emerged from the battle with an 8-3 victory. While it seems like a blowout, it was a battle up until the very last inning for the Bombers.
Trading leads early in the game, the Rays managed to go up 3-1 on CC Sabathia, who pitched six innings. They, naturally, waited until the last minute. But everything tends to work out in their favor, right?
With balls flying out of the ballpark, the odds were with Aaron Judge when he stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the eighth, down by one. Judge worked the count to 3-2 before fighting off some tough pitches, including one right down the right-field line.
Then, the magic happened. Judge clubbed a home run to right field to put the Yankees up by one run and the Stadium was rocking.
Follow that up with a Didi Gregorius grand slam later on in the inning and you have an 8-3 victory. The atmosphere says it all: this postseason is going to be tough for any opponents coming into the Bronx.
1. Aaron Superman Hicks
If any list of best games does not end with this masterpiece in Minnesota, it’s wrong. If the postseason pump-up video does not include this back-and-forth contest between the Yankees, it’s not an official pump-up video.
The fact that this game occurred in Minnesota against the very opponent the Yankees will be hoping to take down in the first round is just icing on the cake.
Oh, Aaron Hicks, how we miss thee. But the drama started far before that spectacular game-saving catch was made. Originally leading, the Yankees went down 8-2 in the fourth and began to stage their own comeback.
Didi Gregorius brought the Yanks within three with his three-run shot but the Twins tacked one more on to take a 9-5 lead. Well, Mike Tauchman, Aaron Judge and Didi Gregorius drove in a combined five runs to take a 10-9 lead.
Now, here comes the seesaw action. Miguel Sano gave the Twins the lead again with a two-run shot. Then comes in Aaron Hicks to save the day.
In the top of the ninth, down to their final out, Hicks crushed a two-run homer to regain the lead. Naturally, the Twins tied it again and here we go, into extras.
After bringing in two more runs to take a 14-12 lead, Adam Ottavino gets the first two outs and loads the bases for reliable Chad Green. Then Aaron Hicks makes the diving catch of the century.
Game over. Yankees win in what is definitely considered the game of the season. Not only was the catch incredible, the situation made it even greater. And the Yankees managed to tie the series and eventually take it at Target Field.
Do you feel the adrenaline pumping? Is your heart pounding out of your chest yet? Good. We’re so ready for Friday, for a few more games that elicit these same emotions.
It’s playoff time, baby! Break out the lucky socks and buckle up. It’s going to be one wild ride.
