Mike Ford, a recent call-up for the Yankees, made an immediate impact in a game where he worked a 3-1 count and crushed a predictable fastball out of the park. Brad Ausmus, the opposing manager, clearly signaled the pitch, and Ford jumped on it. The homer flipped the score from 2-0 to 4-0, with Ford rounding the bases confidently, as if he’d done it a hundred times.
Back in the dugout, Ford got the full rookie welcome. Aaron Judge gave him a light head rub, showing leadership and support. Luke Voit cranked it up with a more aggressive celebration. Tyler Wade joined in, joking that Ford needed to take off his helmet for more head slaps. Even CC Sabathia and Gleyber Torres were in on the fun, while manager Aaron Boone seemed both amused and impressed at leading a lineup full of fill-ins to another win.
Ford sipped on a drink post-homer while a man who looked like his twin lurked in the dugout—possibly a brother or a cop, no one was quite sure. The moment ended with some awkward but friendly hugs from Voit and Wade, who seemed to have adopted Ford into the clubhouse family. Ford kept it humble, just nodding and thanking teammates for the support.