YANKEES EXCITED ABOUT 2019 DESPITE FIRST PRE-SEASON GAME LOSS TO SOX

Source: USA Today

We all know that Spring Training is more about getting the team in shape for a long 162-game schedule than winning games.  It's about warming up, practicing key skills, building synergy and just over all preparation for the season.  But for what it is worth, the Yankees lost 8-5 to the Red Sox squad Saturday in its first pre-season game of 2019. Despite the loss, the team seems focused on besting the Sox in the regular season and hungry for a World Series title.

Source: NJ.com

Both teams amassed 13 hits over nine innings at the Red Sox pre-season complex, JetBlue Park.  Of note, Greg Bird had two hits in the game, giving him something to sing about.  "Really happy,’’ Bird said after going 2-for-2 in his two at-bats at JetBlue Park, during an 8-5 loss to the Red Sox in the Yanks’ exhibition opener. “Just being out there, getting the legs under me again…it was nice,’’ reported NJ.com.  He will battle for first base with Luke Voit, who seems to have an advantage over Bird given Voit's performance at the end of last season.

Source: SNY

Clint Frazier went 1-3 and made a great catch in the outfield.  "I was glad to catch the one that was hit to me and not hit the wall,’’ Frazier said, alluding to the collision with a fence in spring training – exactly a year ago Sunday – that caused his concussion. “The at-bats felt good and I’m ready to get back in’’ Sunday against the Rays." 

Source: MLB.com

Aaron Judge didn't play but Aaron Hicks did and was quite vocal about his need to win this season.  "I want to win a World Series," Hicks continued. "I'm tired of losing. We've come so close, but I'm tired of saying we came close," reported ESPN.  Hicks picked up a double in two at bats in yesterday's game. Aaron Boone has called Hicks "maybe the most underrated player in the game" and has high expectations for the Yankee centerfielder.

Source: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara

Gleyber Torres who is also hungry for a World Series title, slammed a home run into deep center field in the first inning. A great start for the Yankee second year rookie and his attitude toward winning is half the battle as the Bombers look to beat the Sox in he regular season and top the AL East.

Source: Instagram

So we lose the first game but it is clear that this team is hungry and tired of just falling short of making it all the way to the finish line.  We have a great pre-season, season and hopefully post-season ahead of us.  Getting hyped for 2019... #WholeSquadReady.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof