Bleeding Yankee Blue: EASTER SUNDAY FEATURE: A HOMETOWN BOY BECOMES A YANKEE

Sunday, April 12, 2020

EASTER SUNDAY FEATURE: A HOMETOWN BOY BECOMES A YANKEE

Source: USA TODAY Sports (Noah K. Murray)

For most of his career, Adam Ottavino longed to be on the other side of the fence, that big market fence, near the place where he grew up. And last season, he got the opportunity, times two. Not only did he climb the fence to a big city team, but it was his city: New York, New York. This Easter, while we are all at home, why not read about a story with a great ending, as a fan turned player turned Yankee comes true.

"Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Cubs, all those teams, was what I was really hoping for," he told Talkin' Yanks. "I kept an open mind to everything. Once the Yankees were involved, obviously I really hoped that it worked out," said Ottavino on Jomboy Media podcast as reported by Sports Illustrated.

Ottavino is hoping he can get back to playing for the team he loved growing up across the river in Brooklyn, as he put it, growing up as a Yankees "diehard." Right now, he has taken to the backyard during this pandemic, and even getting some workouts in with nearby neighbor Gerrit Cole.

Source: Twitter

According to the New York Post, "Ottavino recently told YES Network that his backyard workout wouldn’t get him “completely ready” for whenever the season ends up starting, but it’s allowed him to avoid losing progress he made this spring." He hopes that it will be enough to keep him sharp

Ottavino is looking forward to baseball this season and has been the first Yankee to come out in support of the Arizona idea, despite being away from his family to do so.

Source: USA Today Sports

"I've seen it (the Arizona idea). I don't have any good insight but I would be in the camp of supporting the idea," he said. "I'm sure a lot would have to go right for it to actually happen but I'm hoping it can work because I want to play," reported SNY.

He is a fighter, and he had a great 2019 and like many others, he wants more.

"In his first season with his childhood team, Ottavino exceeded all expectations. The right-hander led New York's hurlers in appearances, with a career-high 73, while maintaining a sub-two ERA (1.90). He struck out 88 batters across 66 1/3 innings pitched," reported Sport Illustrated.

Source: The Denver Post

It is special when guys grow up to be baseball players. And as lifelong Yankees fans, it is an even bigger blessing to get to play for team you love. After paying their dues in smaller market teams, Ottavino and his neighbor Cole made it to Bronx. And when baseball returns we get to see those Yankee fans, now players battle for #28. We will get there. We just need to be patient. In the meantime, stay home, stay healthy and Happy Easter.