Todd Frazier Brings Yankees Back from the Brink
Todd Frazier sure does have a flair for the dramatic…and then again those of us who know him are not the least bit surprised.
Frazier’s 3-run opposite field homer in the 2nd inning Monday night jump-started a stagnant Yankees offense and they went on to rout Houston 8-1 and capture game three of the American League Championship Series in the Bronx.
Frazier’s exuberant jaunt around the bases was clearly a special moment for the 31-year old as he pointed to his family sitting in the right field “cheap seats” with a smile as wide as the George Washington Bridge. After all, it was his first postseason home run since the Little League World Series Championship game 19 years ago when he led Toms River East American to a victory over a team from Japan.
Since arriving in New York via a trade from the Chicago White Sox on July 18th Frazier has had his share of ups-and-downs. In his first home at-bat wearing pinstripes he hit into a triple play, there was the line drive that hit and injured a young girl sitting in the stands, and questions about whether he was simply a temporary rental for a Yankee team not expected to make a deep October run.
However, it all seemed to turn around when he hit that home run during a September game at CitiField against Tampa Bay and an out-of-place Mets fan gave him the “thumbs down” which has started a craze that the Yankees and their fans have bought into.
Despite being a Yankee for just three months you can see the impact his infectious personality has had on the field and in the dugout and this “Jersey guy” is more than just the number eight hitter in the lineup but one who has become a leader on a team with a lot of young talent.
Despite what the media tells us we know “The ToddFather” was not a diehard Yankee fan growing up. In truth, he liked the guys from Boston. However, he seems as much a Yankee now as anyone and don’t be surprised if he produces more magic moments in the games and days ahead.
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