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Around the Empire
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: Welp. Yesterday happened. Baseball was indeed back, but it was not what the Yankees wanted. Masahiro Tanaka just did not have much of anything against the Rays. Coming off an amazing spring training, Tanaka had little to no control. He had the right attitude after the game though. Brush it off and come back strong the next outing. There’s still plenty of baseball left.
New York Daily News | Mike Mazzeo: It wasn’t exactly a banner day from the player behind the plate either. Gary Sanchez did not have a great Opening day, going 0-for-5 along with a throwing error. Expectation were naturally high for Sanchez, considering what he accomplished in just two month in 2016. Just like Tanaka, Gary is looking to put this game behind him and focus on the next. I think we all are.
Newsday | Anthony Rieber: One player who did not have a terrible Opening Day was Yankees’ third baseman Chase Headley. The Rays shifted on Headley and Headley beat the shift three times, utilizing the third base line to his advantage. Headley claims to have worked on his bunting due to said shifts. That work paid off as he bunted for a hit. Heads-up baseball, Chase.
New York Post | Mike Vaccaro: The youth movement officially began yesterday and there were some bumps out of the gate. These bumps are to be expected as the Yankees dive into unknown territory with this young roster. It’s only one game, but these will not be the only miscues along the way. It will be interesting to see how fans react going forward.