'Release the Kraken!' How Gary Sanchez is making 2019 his year
In a season that has so far been defined by the contributions of a medley of once mostly unknown New York Yankees, it can be hard singling out one player. But nearly 20 homers into a season that isn't even 60 games old yet, here we are.
The big slugger whom general manager Brian Cashman calls "the Kraken" has been unleashed -- and he is having quite the impact.cheap nfl nike jerseys free shipping
If 2017 was the year of Aaron Judge on the Yankees' lunar calendar, and 2018 was the year of Giancarlo Stanton, then it's starting to look like it's safe to call -- even at this very early juncture -- 2019 the year of Gary Sanchez.
"The guy's got a really good swing, and it's been an impressive result this last May and June now -- these last six weeks -- he's been really hot," Yankees first baseman Luke Voit said. "He's probably one of the best power hitters in the game, and he's going to make you pay if you leave it up in the zone."
"When he gets locked in, and he's in a good position to hit and when he's healthy, he's just very, very dangerous," said Yankees veteran outfielder Brett Gardner.
It was in the bottom of the fifth on Saturday when, in a tie game, Sanchez reached all the way across home plate, connecting with an 84.4 mph Porcello slider that ultimately slid a couple of inches out of the strike zone. Just not far enough to escape Sanchez's swing.
The two-run homer put the Yankees out in front for good. It proved to be the game-winning hit that would give them their ninth straight series win. It's the first time since August 1998 that they've won that many consecutive series. The Yankees claimed their 24th World Series that season.cheap nfl jerseys from china nike
Because of how far off the plate Porcello's pitch was, and because of how slightly out in front of it Sanchez was, the Yankees catcher ended up making contact with one hand, muscling a powerful, opposite-field drive 403 feet into the Yankees bullpen beyond the wall in right-center. It was as impressive a home run as Sanchez has had all season, and that's before noting that he already has hit seven farther than 430 feet with two hands.
"Not many guys are capable of doing that," Gardner said. "Gary is one of the most talented hitters in the league, and he continues to find ways to impress us."
Rare feat of strength or not, New York manager Aaron Boone wasn't shocked to see the ball leave the field.
"Don't think anyone out there looking at me is surprised," Boone said, addressing reporters from his podium. "He's a special talent, and tremendous power, obviously -- to kind of reach out and flick that out one-handed shows that."
