Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton is fired up for his first career playoff game.
NEW YORK — Following a 59-homer and MVP season, Giancarlo Stanton wanted out of Miami last winter while new Marlins CEO Derek Jeter was trading off young stars to kickstart another rebuild for a franchise that last had a winning season in 2009.
Just three seasons through a record 13-year, $325-million contract, Stanton asked for a trade, then set perimeters by telling Jeter that he’d only waive his no-trade clause to go to four clubs: the Dodgers, Cubs, Astros or Yankees.
Stanton eventually got his wish when the Yankees, after striking out in their quest to land free agent pitcher/hitter Shohei Ohtani, worked a Dec. 11 trade that made him one-half of a newly created twin towers with 2017 AL Rookie of the Year Aaron Judge.
Thirty-eight homers, 100 RBI and 100 Yankees wins later, Stanton will experience playoff baseball for the first time on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium in a win-or-go-home AL Wild Card Game showdown against the Oakland Athletics.
Yankees set 25-man roster for AL Wild Card Game
Stanton was asked before Tuesday’s workout if this is why he wanted to play for the Yankees.
“Yeah, for sure,” he answered. “And I anticipate it as crazy as ever (at Yankee Stadium). I’ve heard stories about last year, so I expect it up a notch from last year.”
Yankees fans were rowdy last October when their club was 6-0 at home in a playoff run that went all the way to Game 7 of the ALCS.
The Yankees brought in Stanton hoping he’d help them go further this year.
The first step is beating the Athletics to advance to a best-of-five Division Series against the Boston Red Sox.
“It’s been a long road so far, and we’ve got work to do,” Stanton said. “But it’s going to be fun. It’s going to be an exciting day (Wednesday), and we’ve got to show up.”
Randy Miller may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
-
NYYNEWS 20th Anniversary Hat
$16.00 Add to cart -
Men’s Antigua Navy New York Yankees Activate Button-Up Shirt
$102.99 Buy Now -
Women’s Antigua Heather Black New York Yankees Action Pullover Hoodie
$74.99 Buy Now -
Men’s Navy New York Yankees We Are Icon T-Shirt
$34.99 Buy Now -
Women’s Antigua White New York Yankees Cooperstown Victory Pullover Hoodie
$84.99 Buy Now -
Men’s Heathered Charcoal New York Yankees Team Wordmark T-Shirt
$34.99 Buy Now -
Men’s Cutter & Buck Gray New York Yankees Forge Stretch Polo
$84.99 Buy Now -
Men’s Antigua White New York Yankees Big & Tall Affluent Polo
$64.99 Buy Now -
New York Yankees Cutter & Buck Advantage Polo Space Dye – Gray
$89.99 Buy Now -
Men’s Antigua Heather Navy New York Yankees Par 3 Polo
$89.99 Buy Now