When Giancarlo Stanton speaks, the New York Yankees listen. You would, too, if you knew you were in the presence of a man with a swing so powerful it tore both of his elbow tendons.
Out “indefinitely,” it does seem like Stanton is closer to on the mend than anyone thought he would be a month ago, when it was officially announced that he’d miss his first Opening Day. His grip strength has improved following PRP injections, and he’s taking swings against a pitching machine. A date has yet to be floated for minor-league rehab games of any kind, but the fact that they’re even being discussed speaks volumes.
Stanton’s grip on the bat may be trending upward, but his grip on the locker room clearly never wavered. According to Aaron Judge, the hulking slugger commanded the room before Thursday’s series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Yankees had lost the first game after holding a 4-2 lead in the eighth, then rallied late from an early hole (thanks to Carlos Rodón stabilizing things), but fell just short again in Game 2.
Stanton’s message? “We don’t get swept at home.” And they didn’t. It’s not always that simple, but it sure is nice when it is.
— Talkin’ Yanks (@TalkinYanks) April 4, 2025
Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton’s pregame speech helped New York avoid sweep vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
After a weekend in the spotlight and a dimmed mid-week series, the Yankees needed a little oomph, and Stanton knew exactly how to be the man for the job. While Ben Rice has been carrying on very effectively on the field in Stanton’s wake, the youngster can’t replicate the former MVP’s off-field impact, and the longer Stanton can remain around the Yankees as he works his way back, the better.
The Yankees’ surprising early season lineup balance reared its head again on Thursday, as the group heeded Stanton’s words quickly. Knowing they needed an offensive outburst to back Carlos Carrasco (who was great) and a thin bullpen (which was … eh), Rice (who else?) opened the game with a double, followed by a Cody Bellinger walk and some Aaron Judge thunder to make an emphatic statement.
Of course, Stanton had already made the most emphatic statement of all minutes earlier. And it worked. Wonder what he’ll do for his next trick?
