Following a disappointing 3-0 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on Friday night, the New York Yankees found themselves discussing more than just the game. An unexpected earthquake rattled the stadium just before the home opener, leaving players and staff a bit shaken.
Aaron Judge, typically a beacon of stoicism in post-game interviews, revealed he sensed something unusual before the game even began. While pre-game jitters often manifest as vibrations in the stadium, this felt different. When pressed for details on his whereabouts during the 4.8-magnitude quake (centered 30 miles away in New Jersey at 10:32 AM), Judge playfully dodged the question, eliciting laughter from the reporters. His coy response, hinting at a situation ripe for speculation, quickly became a post-game talking point.
“I felt that pregame,” Aaron Judge said. “Usually you feel a couple of rumbles in this stadium pre-game, but that one was a little different.”
But when asked where he was when earthquake hit, he replied:
“Ah, I don’t want to say. I don’t want to say.”
Manager Aaron Boone also shared his unique experience. Describing the event as “strange,” Boone recalled being behind the batting cage during batting practice when the tremors hit. Ironically, just moments before the earthquake, he was discussing former Yankees pitcher Bob Tewksbury. The coincidence of Tewksbury’s last name matching the epicenter’s location (Tewksbury Township, New Jersey) wasn’t lost on Boone, but he opted to keep those details to himself.
While the earthquake undoubtedly rattled the stadium both literally and figuratively, the Yankees will have to shake it off quickly. They’ll look to bounce back from their Opening Day loss as they continue their series against the Blue Jays.
Earthquake hits Yankees too
On a night filled with unexpected events, the New York Yankees found themselves grappling with both a disappointing loss on the field and the aftereffects of an earthquake that rattled Yankee Stadium during their home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Following a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Blue Jays, the team had to contend with the aftermath of a 4.8-magnitude quake, the epicenter of which was located in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, just a mile from the township of Tewksbury. Adding to the unusual coincidence, manager Aaron Boone revealed that he had been discussing former Yankees pitcher Bob Tewksbury, who played for the team in the mid-80s, just moments before the tremors hit while he was behind the batting cage.
Boone, initially struck by the strange timing, didn’t connect the dots until a few minutes later. With a touch of humor, he remarked, “We were just talking about Bob…” before opting to forgo further elaboration on a conversation about a pitcher retired for 26 years, deeming it less than riveting for post-game discussion.
The on-field performance mirrored the off-field oddities for the Yankees. Despite a strong start to the season with six wins in seven road games, their bats went silent against the Blue Jays, mustering only six hits and failing to score a single run. New York’s prized acquisition, Juan Soto, also had a forgettable debut at Yankee Stadium, going hitless in four at-bats with two strikeouts.
Looking to put Friday’s loss behind them, Aaron Judge acknowledged the disappointing outcome and the lack of excitement they provided for the fans. However, he emphasized the team’s resolve to bounce back and turn things around for Saturday night’s game. The focus, according to Aaron Judge, is firmly set on regaining momentum and delivering a more inspired performance.
The tremors were felt throughout the ballpark, adding a layer of surprise to the Yankees’ eventual 3-0 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.
While the Blue Jays players and fans hadn’t yet arrived, the Yankees were in the midst of batting practice when the ground began to shake. Catcher Austin Wells, one of the players on the field, vividly described feeling the tremors and confirmed that everyone present felt the unsettling movement.
Gleyber Torres, another infielder taking batting practice, opted to continue his pregame routine despite the shaking. Meanwhile, the tremors caused some uncertainty among other Yankees players on the field.
Manager Aaron Boone, witnessing the batting practice from behind the home plate cage, initially mistook the shaking for the stadium’s sound system. He later estimated the tremor lasted for about 30 seconds. Perhaps due to his California upbringing where earthquakes are more frequent, Boone chuckled and said, “I’m used to it,” highlighting his familiarity with such seismic events.
Despite the pre-game earthquake, the game went on. However, the Yankees couldn’t capitalize on the excitement of the home opener, ultimately falling short against the Blue Jays.
Manager Aaron Boone revealed he was having a pre-game chat with former Yankee and current YES broadcaster John Flaherty when the ground began to shake. The coincidence didn’t escape him, as they had just been discussing ex-MLB pitcher Bob Tewksbury, whose last name mirrored the epicenter’s location – Tewksbury, New Jersey.
While Boone and Flaherty felt the tremors on the field, the impact wasn’t limited to those outside the locker room. Pitcher Marcus Stroman, relaxing in his clubhouse locker, confirmed the entire team felt the shaking. Coming from Long Island, where earthquakes are uncommon, Stroman admitted the experience was a surprise. Initially, some players, including Stroman, speculated it might be something happening on the concourse, but uncertainty quickly turned to the realization of an earthquake.
Echoing Boone’s experience, star outfielder Aaron Judge also sensed something unusual pre-game. He acknowledged that vibrations are typical before games, but this felt distinct. Thankfully, the tremors – estimated by Boone to last around 30 seconds – didn’t cause any delays. The game commenced at its scheduled 1:05 p.m. start time.
This wasn’t the first time Mother Nature impacted the Yankees’ schedule this season. Earlier, a scheduled 2:05 p.m. game against the Marlins was pushed back to 6:05 p.m. to avoid playing during the peak of a solar eclipse. While the earthquake provided a pre-game jolt, the Yankees couldn’t capitalize on the excitement, ultimately falling short against the Blue Jays in a 3-0 defeat.
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