While the New York Yankees celebrate their Game 1 victory over the Kansas City Royals, Hurricane Milton has wreaked havoc on the team's properties and facilities in Florida, raising concerns for players and staff.
The New York Yankees, currently engaged in a tense postseason campaign, are facing an additional source of anxiety as Hurricane Milton unleashes its fury on the state of Florida. The team's spring training site, George M. Steinbrenner Field, has been converted into a shelter, providing refuge to organizational employees and their families as the storm approaches.
With the hurricane's path directly threatening Florida, the Yankees have taken swift action to evacuate minor league players and shut down their instructional league. General manager Brian Cashman acknowledges the potential for extensive damage, particularly after witnessing the destruction inflicted upon Tropicana Field, the home stadium of the Tampa Bay Rays.
Yankees Face Uncertainty Amid Hurricane Milton's Devastating Impact on Florida
"Hopefully the damage is minimal, but that's probably not going to be the case," Cashman said.
The hurricane's devastating impact has left multiple Yankees players with homes in the affected area, including Aaron Judge, DJ LeMahieu, Gleyber Torres, and Austin Wells. Judge, who owns an $800,000 condo in Tampa Bay, joins his teammates in facing uncertainty during this critical playoff period.
Yankees Face Uncertainty Amid Hurricane Milton's Devastating Impact on Florida
Despite the challenges, the Yankees managed to secure a 3-2 victory over the Royals in Game 1, giving them a 2-1 series lead. However, Judge's continued struggles at the plate have drawn attention, as Wednesday night's 0-for-4 performance extended his postseason strikeout rate to a record-setting 34.3%.
Head coach Aaron Boone acknowledged the emotional roller coaster that players are navigating, balancing the intensity of the playoffs with concerns for their loved ones.
Yankees Face Uncertainty Amid Hurricane Milton's Devastating Impact on Florida
"There's always doses of perspective that come in and do that," Boone said. "Everyone that knows that we have a handful of guys obviously that have places down there or are based there, and it's an uncertain time."
The Yankees' vulnerabilities have been exposed during the series against the Royals, despite their payroll advantage. Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón have both had poor outings, while Anthony Volpe's costly errors have resulted in runs for the opposition. The absence of Anthony Rizzo has also left a void in the team's lineup.
Yankees Face Uncertainty Amid Hurricane Milton's Devastating Impact on Florida
As the series progresses, the Yankees must confront these challenges while keeping an anxious eye on the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Milton. A win in Thursday night's Game 4 would send them to the ALCS, which they would host for the first time since 2012 if they can overcome Kansas City.
The storm's impact on the team's preparations and the well-being of its players remains a significant concern, adding an additional layer of uncertainty to an already tense postseason.
