The name Yastrzemski means a great deal to Major League Baseball fans, particularly those of the Boston Red Sox. So when the San Francisco Giants came to town Tuesday for a rare three-game series at Fenway Park, there was buzz around the fact that they brought with them Mike Yastrzemski. He’s the grandson of Red Sox great and Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski.
The younger Yaz rose the occasion as his grandfather did so many times at Fenway, hitting a home run in the top of the fourth inning. And speaking of rare occasions, that actually prompted the Fenway faithful to give him a standing ovation — needless to say, a rarity for a visiting player.
“Being able to do that in front of friends and family was super special,” Yastrzemski said, according to ESPN.com. “I’m just glad that they got to make it for it.”
Been a long time since Yaz went deep at Fenway @Section10Pod pic.twitter.com/WCzuadOWGT
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 18, 2019
No moment too big
Needless to say, Yastrzemski was prepared for his big moment at Fenway. He has toiled in the minor leagues for more than six years before receiving his call-up this season.
He has made the most of that, too. Yastrzemski is hitting a very solid .266/.325./.516, and Tuesday’s home run was his 20th in about two-thirds of a season.
So he wasn’t overwhelmed when he came to Boston with the expectations of his name written across his back.
“Playing here is cool, and I see it as part of my job and something I’ve always wanted to do. That doesn’t really overwhelm me,” he said. “To do it in a setting where I have so many fond memories with friends and family and have them be able to be here, it’s special.”
A Yaz at Fenway Park will always warrant an ovation. pic.twitter.com/1hkgadMjzF
— MLB (@MLB) September 17, 2019
A family celebration
For his part, 80-year-old Carl Yastrzemski rarely makes public appearances at Fenway anymore. His 23-year career, all with the Red Sox, ended in 1983, seven years before Mike was born.
But Carl was there before Tuesday’s game, giving his grandson pointers on playing the Green Monster — Giants manager Bruce Bochy decided to have Mike play left field for nostalgia’s sake — and doing interviews.
“The only way I can make any type of comparison would be to compare the ’67 season to this moment,” Carl Yastrzemski said. “To play 700 games in the minor leagues, he always said he’d make it. I think that’s what I’m proud of the most, because of his sticking to it, not complaining. He’s a great kid, which is more important.”
The elder Yaz said even more family celebration is planned for Wednesday.
Yaz squared hanging out prior to first pitch 😍 pic.twitter.com/P5QM3j4oT3
— NESN (@NESN) September 17, 2019
