Mike Yastrzemski, the grandson of Boston Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski, made his Fenway Park debut Tuesday night as a member of the San Francisco Giants.
In his first at-bat, the Fenway faithful rose to their feet and gave the younger Yaz a well-deserved standing ovation.
Check it out.
Boston knows the name Yastrzemski.
@mikeyaz18 | #SFGiants pic.twitter.com/1wCO3yATAX — San Francisco Giants (@SFGiants) September 17, 2019
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A Yaz at Fenway Park will always warrant an ovation. pic.twitter.com/1hkgadMjzF — MLB (@MLB) September 17, 2019
In his third at-bat, he hit his 20th home run of the season.
Playing at Fenway is something he's always dreamed of, and before he took the field, he noted he was looking forward to soaking in and appreciating the experience.
All eyes are on @SFGiants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski today at Fenway Park. He'll play there tonight as a pro for the first time in his career. Yes, he's the grandson of #RedSox legend Carl Yastrzemski @NBC10Boston @RaulNBCBoston pic.twitter.com/1K64jwOUKC — Craig Kolodny (@NBCBostonCraig) September 17, 2019
Although he was excited to take the same field and patrol the same position in left field in front of the Green Monster where his grandfather once played, Yastrzemski noted that being in the stands for the 1999 All-Star Game and Home Run Derby at Fenway were more overwhelming than the thought of actually playing in Boston.
Yaz also talked about what it was like entering the park today for the first time as a pro. He references the 1999 home run derby and ASG as signature moments that he remembers #RedSox @NBC10Boston @RaulNBCBoston @Gary_Tanguay pic.twitter.com/loukLaosnW — Craig Kolodny (@NBCBostonCraig) September 17, 2019
Playing in such a historic ballpark is memorable to begin with, but Yastrzemski, 29, will be battling some pretty tough expectations throughout the Giants' three-game series at Fenway. It doesn't seem like he'll let that get to him though.
The Andover, Mass., native is putting together a nice rookie season for the Giants with a .265 batting average, 19 home runs, 51 RBI and a .833 OPS. What's more interesting about those stats, though, is that they almost mirror his grandfather's rookie season with Boston -- .266 with 11 homers, 80 RBI and a .721 OPS.
Before the game, Yastrzemski and his grandfather took a stroll through left. We can only imagine what they talked about -- probably discussing how to play the Monster.
Best video of the day for any longtime fan of the #RedSox. Here's @SFGiants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski and his grandfather & Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski walking in from left field moments ago at Fenway Park @NBC10Boston @RaulNBCBoston pic.twitter.com/2LmFVLvdWB — Craig Kolodny (@NBCBostonCraig) September 17, 2019
While the younger Yaz had plenty of family watching him make his Fenway debut. His 80-year-old grandfather left the park before the game began (he said he'd be too nervous to watch in person) but said he'll be back at Fenway for the games Wednesday and Thursday.
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