The fact that school hasn’t started here in the Northeast yet doesn’t stop Andrew Velazquez from being the subject of Fordham Prep.
“Every football guy knows that,” Pat Deane told The Post Thursday afternoon. “Baseball guys know that.”
Deane can talk about it for sure because he directs the two programs of Velázquez’s alma mater. As he saw Velázquez, alternating between short field and center as a junior and then assuming sole ownership of the position as a senior, rise to a prospect worthy of being selected by the Diamondbacks in the seventh round of the 2012 amateur draft.
Because earlier this season, Velazquez acceded to Deane’s request and, while playing Triple-A Scranton / Wilkes-Barre, spoke to the entire school.
“He told them a little about his story. We had it in the auditorium, “said Deane, who added,” He deserves everything he gets. “
The 27-year-old got a little more on Thursday night. His triple in the third inning and his fourth inning caused the Yankees to secure their seventh straight victory, 7-5 over the boxing twins at Yankee Stadium, and the 29th in 40 trials, as they maintained the its advantage of a game above the most important wildcard slot in the American League.
“It’s been fun today,” Velázquez said.
“Squid had a good night,” Aaron Boone said and … wait. “Squid”? “It’s something they gave me in my second year of professional football. Some Diamondbacks coaches gave it to me, “said Velázquez, who includes” Squid “on his Twitter manager.” There are a lot of stories behind this, but I guess the safest one is that it comes from my last name. ” When pressured that there should be a less boring explanation, Velazquez said, “Probably hands. They could be hands, defense. ”I like that more.
Velazquez, promoted to the major leagues on August 9, when Gleyber Torres entered the injured list with a sprained left thumb, has joined the list of unlikely contributors to this Yankees rebound. While his overall numbers barely overshadowed (he now has a .269 / .269 / .385 linebacker), he helped the Yankees pass the Red Sox by delivering three hits with runners in scoring position and executing a play on Wednesday. defensive end of game. At a time when the Yankees are earning a lot, but up close, those moments stand out even more, as do their contributions on Thursday.
That he’s a hometown boy who actually lives with his parents while playing for the New York Yankees, the third Fordham Prep product to do so, after Johnny Murphy and Snuffy Stirnweiss, according to former school president Joe Parkes, it certainly increases its appeal to the masses.
“He got it,” Deane said. “I mean, he did it years ago when he played in Tampa Bay and around the world [Velazquez also played for the Orioles and Indians], but the dream of every child is to play on the short field for the Yankees. “
As much as Deane liked to see Velazquez seal the Yankees victory Wednesday night with his glove on, what ended the moment for the coach was the smile. “It was a big smile,” Deane said. “He likes to play the game. Do plays like that when you enjoy it. “
“Even on the field, lots of smiles today,” Velazquez echoed a few hours later. “Everyone was a little optimistic.”
At the moment there is nothing not to enjoy, as Velazquez has an integral role with the team of his hometown, inspiring young people who want to follow his example. Next season, Fordham Prep has a senior football field named Carmelo Musacchia who has already pledged to play in the Northeast. “It reminds me of Andrew,” Deane said. “I want Andrew to meet him and talk to him.”
If Velázquez and the Yankees continue to drive this hot streak, he will have a lot to discuss with young, old and contemporary fans. The pride of the Bronx makes them more proud.