Yankees Tempt Already Crippled Fate with Mexico Games After Giants' Fiasco
GUEST POST by Mohsin Baldiwala
March 27, 2024
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The Protective Bubble Fantasy
In the throes of an almost obsessive concern for the well-being of Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and the rest of the Yankees' lineup, I found myself wishing for a giant bubble wrap to cocoon them following the announcement of Gerrit Cole’s injury. I hoped for a protective barrier against the unpredictable, the unseen, the downright unlucky. And for Judge? I want to keep him far from anything that even remotely resembles a wall.
The Yankees' decision for Aaron Judge to skip the Mexico series might just have been a masterstroke.
Straight Talk
The idea of sending Aaron Judge or any of the main Yankees' squad to play games in Mexico did about as much for me as watching paint dry. Yet, here we were, facing down fate after the Giants’ Mexican misadventure left me with more questions than answers.
Before straying further astray, this is what happened when the Giants went to Mexico: Naturally, the team aimed for international camaraderie and the spread of baseball. Instead, they found themselves grappling with unexpected adversaries: altitude sickness, dietary mishaps, and a general malaise that swept through the clubhouse like a whirlwind.
The Yankees, in a move that seemed less about being unaware and more about a certain blissful ignorance, wandered into the same scenario. It's important to note: I carry the cause of spreading baseball's gospel far and wide (coming from a place where baseball isn't exactly the go-to conversation at dinner). Yet, having been let down by the Yanks more times than I care to count since 2009, there's a part of me that was happy the big stars stayed put in Tampa, focusing on gearing up for the real deal of the season.
A Whole New Ball Game in Mexico
Imagine Giancarlo Stanton, a mountain of a man, suddenly puzzled by his own huffing and puffing (even though that seemed like Big G’s story from 2023). Welcome to Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú, a sky-high fortress where the air literally seemed in short supply.
Here, our Yankees faced a trifecta of challenges: thin air, scorching heat, and a lurking haze that did no favors for anyone’s lungs. Their face-off against the Diablos Rojos was less a baseball game and more a battle against the elements, ending in a 4-3 loss, thanks to a legend who returned to haunt his former team - Robinson Cano. The 41-year-old, who recently signed with the Diablos Rojos, launched a home run off Yankees' Triple-A pitcher Tanner Tully in the fourth inning. But, come on, it's just Spring Training, isn't it? So, the legends of American sports, the almighty Yankees, stumbled against a Mexican team, with none other than the infamous Trevor Bauer leading the charge. Big deal, right?
Yankees' Achilles' Heel
With hydration tips and dietary warnings to the players being thrown around like confetti, the specter of past injuries loomed large. Missing Gerrit Cole to elbow woes was a gut punch, and with DJ LeMahieu and Anthony Rizzo also on the mend, the team's outlook seemed murky. This jaunt to Mexico wasn’t just a physical challenge; it was akin to playing Russian roulette with the team’s health and morale, especially given the Giants’ post-Mexico gastrointestinal horror stories.
An Unforgettable (or Regrettable) Adventure
Despite the setbacks, there were glimmers of optimism from the game in Mexico. Some Yankees found a silver lining in the experience, cherishing the electric atmosphere and the novelty of the setting. Catcher Jose Trevino, tapping into his Mexican heritage, found joy amidst the potential adversity. Moreover, for Mexican fans and the Diablos Rojos, hosting the Yankees was nothing short of a dream realized. The enthusiasm and sheer joy of the Mexican fans, coupled with the significance of this cross-cultural exchange, underscored the universal appeal of baseball's magic.
In addition, other Yankees like Victor Gonzalez and Alex Verdugo, both of Mexican heritage, spoke to the personal significance of playing in their ancestral home. The response was rather overwhelming, and managed to sell-out the stadium.
That said, the decision to leave stars like Aaron Judge back home did not go unnoticed. Accusations flew from fans and pundits alike, dismayed that the Yankees' biggest names were missing from a series, argued that it was not just about wins and losses, but about bridging cultures and promoting baseball in a country that revels in its love for the sport. This series was a golden opportunity to showcase the best of MLB to Mexican fans and a chance to grow the game’s footprint beyond its traditional borders.
As for me,I hail from a place rife with irrational biases and a bottomless well of affection for the Yanks. And honestly, for heaven's sake, it's been a long, drawn-out 15 years. Some might call this a brilliant move to boost baseball's popularity (Rob Manfred included), while the rest of us, cloaked in our cynicism, will view it as a misguided gamble with fate.
