NYC native Luis Garcia Jr. living his Yankees dream after trade but theres a major power task
Luis García Jr.was born and bred in New York and grew up rooting for the Yankees.
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.Even after he moved to the Dominican Republic as a child, he wore No.
2 in homage to Derek Jeter.So for García, walking into the Stadium on Monday and donning the pinstripes he always dreamed of playing in just hit a little different.“I’m so fortunate for this opportunity,” García said through an interpreter before the Bombers opened their homestand against the Cardinals.“A lot of people know that I was born here in New York, and that I spent a big chunk of my life here in New York.
So, to be part of this team, and walking in, very fortunate.“Definitely grew up a Yankee fan.I left to the DR when I was 8 years old.
So, growing up, my favorite players were Jeter and Cano, Robbie Cano, and it’s one of the reasons why I wear [No.] 2.”With Jeter’s No.2 retired, García had to settle for No.
26 as he started at first base and hit third in the order.But García was happy to don the pinstripes of his childhood team, no matter what number or position or spot in the lineup.“It means so much to me.I was born here, so to be able to play for this team, as players, I think everybody wants an opportunity to wear this jersey, these pinstripes,” García said.
“To be able to play in front of my family, it means a lot.I have a lot of family members here in the city, so to be able to do that is going to be cool.”The Bombers will hope García’s lefty bat can add a needed jolt to their lineup.García entered Monday having hit .283 with 23 homers and 76 RBIs, the latter two stats both career highs.
He was third in the majors (and first in the NL) in slugging percentage, and the Yankees are convinced there’s even more offense to unlock.“We have Luis García in here who’s been a wrecking ball in the National League this year, lead...