Now a Yankee, Alex Verdugo silences boos with first pitch homer vs. Red Sox

June 14, 2024. Yankees' star Alex Verdugo celebrating after scoring a home run against his former club, Boston Red Sox.

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After receiving praise from the Red Sox’ manager, Alex Verdugo, who is now playing for the New York Yankees, returned to Fenway Park to the sounds of boos from Boston fans. Despite hearing it loudly, the star hit a home run to silence his critics.

According to Jomboy, Alex Verdugo also responded to the fans, saying ‘let me hear it,’ as he rounded the bases after hitting a homer against the Red Sox, the team that had traded him away to their rivals.

Watch the incredible moment below:

Alex Verdugo’s numbers vs. Red Sox

June 14, 2024. Yankees' star Alex Verdugo celebrating after scoring a homer against his former club, Boston Red Sox.
ESPN

On the ballpark, Alex Verdugo confronted his former team, the Boston Red Sox, knocking off 3 for 5 with four RBIs. The bittersweet revenge made Alex Verdugo among the top 8 most discussed topics in the US. According to Bryan Hoch, when he arrived in New York, he was upset about Boston trading him.

On June 14, 2024, Yankees' Alex Verdugo was among the top 8 most discussed topics in the US on X.com

Alex Verdugo’s special week

June 14, 2024. Yankees' star Alex Verdugo celebrating after scoring a homer against his former club, Boston Red Sox.
ESPN

Despite Alex Verdugo’s impressive achievement of hitting a homer in the first inning, the Yankees player had already hinted that he would cause trouble for his former team. When asked how he expected to be received at Fenway Park this weekend, Alex Verdugo replied: “Like a Yankee.”

As Alex Verdugo took his first swing on Friday night, he just needed a homer to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead over his old team. But despite celebrating exuberantly towards the visitors’ dugout, Verdugo had previously given tips that he would spoil his old house’s plans, or at least try to.

Earlier that day, Alex Verdugo described it as “a special and strange day” as he prepared to play against the Red Sox with his new team, the Yankees, MLB’s top team and Boston’s longtime rivals.

Alex Verdugo’s standout performance was also attributed to Yankees manager Aaron Boone. According to Yahoo, the skipper made a defensive adjustment, placing the Mexican in right field, where he excelled during his time with the Red Sox, while Juan Soto covered the shorter dimensions of left field.

During his three seasons (2021-23) with the Red Sox, Alex Verdugo, a key piece in the trade that sent Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers, had a batting average of .278 with an average OPS of .751, 12 home runs, 64 RBIs, and played 147 games per season.

Heading into this series, Verdugo had a batting average of .259 with an OPS of .733, eight home runs, and 37 RBIs in 68 games, primarily serving as the Yankees’ cleanup hitter behind Juan Soto and Aaron Judge.

Alex Verdugo’s last season in Boston was marked by instances of tardiness and lack of effort, which led Red Sox manager Alex Cora to discipline him, according to Boston sports media.

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