Yankee fans, forced by snow and rain to wait longer than expected for the team’s home opener, got amply rewarded for their patience. Didi Gregorius produced an Opening Day for the ages. The Yankees’ shortstop went 4-for-4 with a walk in five plate appearances. He singled, doubled, and belted a pair of three-run homers to lift the Yankees to an 11-4 victory over the visiting Tampa Bay Rays.
Dubbed “the infield captain” by manager Aaron Boone, Gregorius made history by driving in eight runs. He became the first Yankee shortstop ever to knock in eight runs in a game, and only the sixth in MLB history to accomplish the feat.