July 7, 2024

Alex Verdugo’s clutch Yankees homer produces another unique John Sterling call

Not only did Alex Verdugo deliver for the Yankees in extra innings in a 6-5 win against the Diamondbacks, but he received a special home run call from the Yankees’ beloved play-by-play announcer, John Sterling.

 Broadcasters John Sterling (L) and Michael Kay of the New York Yankees introduce the players during the teams 64th Old-Timer's Day before the MLB game against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 17, 2010 at Yankee Stadium.

Tied at 2 in the top of the 10th inning on Wednesday, Verdugo hit a bomb for a two-run home run to give the Yankees a 4-2 lead.

“He hits a high drive to right. That ball is high. It is far, it is gone!” Sterling said as the ball soared 395 feet into right field at 104.9 miles per hour.

Yankees' Alex Verdugo (24) reacts after hitting a home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the tenth inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 3, 2024.
Yankees’ Alex Verdugo (24) reacts after hitting a home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the tenth inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 3, 2024. Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

“Alex Verdugo. Alexander the Great,” Sterling tagged him as for likely the remainder of his time in pinstripes.

It was Verdugo’s first home run as a Yankee after they acquired him from the Red Sox during the offseason in exchange for reliever Greg Weissert and minor league pitchers Richard Fitts and Nicholas Judice.

“First one with New York, big spot like that, it felt good. Seeing the boys get fired up, everybody’s barking at me, it was one of those ones that just felt good,” Verdugo said after the game.

Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo hits a two run home run in the tenth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

Prior to Wednesday’s game, he held a .143 batting average with a .351 OPS for three hits and one RBI in six game appearances and 24 plate appearances.

Against the Diamondbacks in his home run highlight performance, he went 1-for-4 for a .160 batting average in the sixth spot in the lineup.

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