Alex Verdugo had a return to remember in Boston, getting revenge on the Red Sox, and it didn’t take long. In Verdugo’s first at-bat in Boston as a New York Yankee, he was met with boos from the Red Sox faithful. Verdugo’s response? A 406-foot, two-run home run, dead center, off Brayan Bello. This first-inning home run was precisely what Verdugo needed to get revenge on the Red Sox.
However, Verdugo didn’t stop there, adding an RBI double in the fifth and an RBI single in the ninth. Verdugo put up a 3-5 performance on his night, with a home run and four RBIs. He was the leading reason for the New York Yankees’ 8-1 win against their biggest rivals. What a night for Verdugo, as he wanted to get his revenge on the team that traded him.
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Revisiting the Trade
This past offseason, the Red Sox traded Alex Verdugo to the Yankees in exchange for Richard FItts, Greg Weissert, and Nicholas Judice. The Yankees had been after Verdugo for some time, eager to add his gold glove caliber defense and a solid lefty bat. But while the Yankees were eager to add him, the Red Sox were keen to get rid of him.
There were problems between Verdugo and the Red Sox. Fans and reporters deemed Verdugo a bad presence in the locker room, and fans had soured on him. It’s funny how players can thrive with a new team when they struggle with an old one.
Verdugo has been enjoying his time with the Yankees. He’s now a fan favorite in New York, as both the team and fans embrace him. He’s been an integral player in the locker room, elevating the team.
Maybe Verdugo is acting differently than in Boston, or perhaps he was unfairly deemed the scapegoat. Regardless, he’s having some of the most fun playing baseball. With his return to Boston last night, Verdugo has gotten his revenge against the Red Sox.
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