The New York Yankees are riddled with perennial all-stars. Some of the first names that come to mind: Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Gerrit Cole. They all partook in the Dodgers Stadium-set 2022 All-Star Game, but were also accompanied by some unexpected great stories on the flight to Los Angeles.
Though the aptly-nicknamed Bronx Bombers have been scoring runs their favorite way – via the home-run – as usual during the first half of the season, it’s really their pitching that has helped place them above the rest. In addition to unexpected success stories, Nestor Cortes out of the rotation and Clay Holmes in the bullpen, their late Spring-arriving backstop Jose Trevino rounded out the Yankees’ league-high 6 All-Star representatives.
Cortes has been a driving force for the club this year. Compiling a 7-3 record with a 2.74 ERA and 95 strikeouts over 88 ⅔ innings pitched, “Nasty Nestor” was looking like a dark horse to win the Cy Young Award for the early part of the season.
In Spring Training, Cortes was asking around if anyone knew if he was going to make the team. When Manager Aaron Boone caught wind, he stopped by Cortes’ locker and said, “On the team? You’re going to be an All-Star. You’re going to L.A.”
Boone could not have known that back in March, but it is a testament to the confidence he exudes in his players, and Cortes has lived up to it and more.
Trevino has produced one clutch moment after another. From the walk-offs on Father’s Day and his son’s birthday, to his All-Star selection in his first season as a Yankee, he has helped those who were originally scratching their heads not miss the dealt-to-Minnesota Gary Sanchez for a second. He has carried most of the catching load this season after being acquired to serve as projected starter Kyle Higashioka’s back-up. Trevino is hitting .270 with 7 home runs, and 27 RBI in what has been a career year for the catcher.
The fans have fallen head over heels for his play and his personality. Trevino’s social media presence is prominent, fully enveloping the New York scene.
Meanwhile, Chapman-ousting closer Clay Holmes has burst into the fold as a league standout reliever after a successful back-half last year in pinstripes. Acquired in a trade from the Pirates, Pittsburgh thought they were losing a headache. Now, they realize the Yankees landed a steal—an absolute diamond in the rough.
Holmes possesses a gnarly 98 mph sinker that leaves hitters bewildered. That pitch has cruised him to 16 saves in 18 tries, a 4-1 record, a 1.34 ERA, and the title of best Yankee reliever.
Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton received starting position nods on the American League roster, with Stanton named MVP of the night after launching a two-run home run off the Dodgers’ Tony Gonsolin in the A.L.’s 3-2 victory. Fitting, as Stanton belted the blast into the same left field section he spent his youth as a spectator.
“Growing up, I’d always sit in left field and try to get players to throw me a ball,” Stanton said after the game. “To be playing left field tonight and hitting out there means everything to me. It’s a full-circle moment. It’s gonna be an amazing memory for all of my life.”
