Eric Kratz, the 37-year-old career minor leaguer, stepped up for his first at-bat with the Yankees and made it count. On a 2-1 pitch, he ripped a double into the gap, driving in Tyler Wade. The game was already a blowout with the Yankees up 16–6, but the moment belonged to Kratz. What followed stole the spotlight—a dugout celebration that didn’t go exactly as planned.
CC Sabathia, close to retirement and battling knee issues, greeted Kratz at the dugout with a demand for finger guns, a team celebration staple. Kratz hesitated, probably wondering what the hell he’d just walked into. He gave it a shot—fists clenched, thumbs stiff, minimal movement. The effort was there, but the execution screamed dad-at-a-dance-recital. The guns looked worn out, much like his baseball journey. It wasn’t a great celebration, but no one cared. The guy logged over a decade in the minors, and now he’s putting up RBIs in pinstripes.
The moment was funny, awkward, and kind of perfect. Kratz didn’t bring smooth moves, but he brought a hit and a run. That’ll do. Four out of ten on the finger guns, ten out of ten on making it count.