As the Boston Red Sox welcomed the New York Yankees into Fenway Park for their first meeting of the 2024 season, they also welcomed former Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo back for the first time since being traded to the division rival this offseason.
Leading up to the matchup, Verdugo spoke about his excitement about returning to the place he called home for the last few years, but he also understood that he now plays for Boston's most-hated rival and fans would probably treat him as such.
It's hard to imagine what happened next going any better for the 28-year-old.
Verdugo finished the night 3-for-5 with four RBIs which included a two-run blast off of the very first pitch he saw in the first inning, and as he rounded the bases he let fans and his former teammates know that he's back.
ALEX VERDUGO HOMERS VS. HIS FORMER TEAM AND HE'S FIRED UP!!! pic.twitter.com/qocInyb2Cr
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) June 14, 2024
After the game, Verdugo explained his emotion during the home-run trot.
“Pure adrenaline, man," Verdugo said (via. MassLive). "Just fired up. I wasn’t really expecting to swing first pitch and to put it out of the ballpark and give us an early 2-0 lead was big. I let a little yell out around first and when I hit second, I saw my dugout going crazy, all the guys out there barking and doing whatever they’re doing. I kinda lost it again."
It was a huge moment for him, and his team continued their dominant season with an 8-1 win. The importance of winning games against Boston, and the importance for himself to succeed against his former team, isn't lost on Verdugo.
“To come over here and do what we did as a team and obviously the swing I put on it in the first to give us the lead, it was a big moment,” Verdugo said. “It felt like a lot of relief for me with the anticipation for this matchup. There’s no secret that this was a big series for me.”
Both teams will meet again on Saturday, and Verdugo will have another chance to make the Red Sox pay for sending him away.
