The New York Yankees kicked off their spring training with plenty of buzzworthy moments. Aaron Judge dazzled with two home runs, while promising pitchers Elmer Rodriguez and Carlos Lagrange showed their potential. Meanwhile, Austin Wells had a couple of tough calls with the ABS system.
But the weekend's most compelling story came from legendary broadcaster John Sterling. In a candid conversation with Ricky Ricardo on WFAN, Sterling revealed that he suffered a heart attack in January.
Thankfully, he's on the mend and was well enough to discuss Team USA's gold medal win at the Winter Olympics. At 87, Sterling mentioned lingering effects on his legs but remains in good spirits.
Sterling, who retired in April 2024, made a brief return to the booth during the Yankees' playoff run and has appeared on YES Network broadcasts. His health update is sure to concern fans who hold him dear, but his resilience is evident.
In less uplifting news, the Yankees faced a messy situation at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.
A massive sewage leak disrupted the clubhouse and left a noticeable stench around the ballpark during Saturday's game against the Tigers. While Tampa's Department of Public Works quickly addressed the issue, Aaron Boone noted that the facility will have lingering challenges due to the extent of the leak.
With sewage causing chaos, the Yankees moved their pregame workouts to the Minor League complex, though the game against the Mets proceeded as planned. It's a situation no team wants to face, but hopefully, it's a bump in the road as the Yankees aim for a fresh start in 2026.
Yankees fans also had their eyes on Ben Rice, who was absent from the weekend games due to a stiff neck. Boone reassured fans that Rice would be back in action on Monday.
This is welcome news, as Rice is expected to be a key contributor following his promising 2025 season. Alongside Cam Schlittler, Rice is part of a group looking to make significant strides this year, with Jasson Dominguez and Luis Gil also aiming for greater impact.
The Yankees will face the Pirates at 1:05 p.m. ET in Bradenton, where fans can catch Rice's spring debut. It's an exciting time for the team as they look to build momentum for the upcoming season.