In the two biggest games of the Yankees’ season thus far, the “fans” have delivered in a big way.
A game-tying dash around the bases. Two home runs, including a stadium-electrifying eighth-inning tie-breaker. An 81-mile-per-hour sweeper to strand the bases loaded and preserve a one-run lead.
No, these are not the contributions of fans pulled out of the stands for a Fantasy Camp-like experience. These big moments were authored by major leaguers who know what is expected of the Yankees when the pressure is on because they once cheered as their predecessors came through time and again in similar situations.
What was cool about the Yankees winning the first two games of an intense series against the Orioles — to start nipping at Baltimore’s heels for second place in the American League East — was that Anthony Volpe, Harrison Bader and Ron Marinaccio each played significant parts. All three grew up as Yankees fans in the New York/New Jersey area, creating a sort of pay-it-forward benefit for playing 30 years of meaningful games.
