Alex Verdugo responds to Red Sox fans booing him with a 2-run homer in first at-bat
Alex Verdugo told reporters before the Red Sox and Yankees series opener that he expects fans to greet him “like a Yankee.” With Red Sox fans reigning boos down on the former outfielder, Verdugo would respond back.
On the very first pitch during his first at-bat, Verdugo took Brayan Bello deep for a two-run blast to deep center field.
As Verdugo was rounding the bases, he celebrated by flexing and pounding on his chest while yelling and pointing to his teammates in the Yankees’ dugout.
Verdugo’s homer came off a Bello 97.6-mph sinker, and he crushed it 406 feet with an exit velocity of 104 mph, according to Baseball Savant.
The 28-year-old is making his first appearance as a visitor to Fenway Park since 2019 after playing for the Red Sox from 2020 to 2023.
Boston traded Verdugo to the Yankees for three pitchers (Greg Weissert, Richard Fitts, and Nicholas Judice) in December.
Verdugo has described his opportunity with the Yankees as a fresh start and an opportunity to turn the page in his career.
“The first few days, I was upset,” said Verdugo. “I didn't really take it the best, but we sat down and started thinking about all the positive sides of it -- going to the Yankees and what they had to offer and the amazing organization that they are. So we quickly shaved and kind of got off on the right foot.”
