Around the Empire: Yankees news - 6/25/21

CBS Sports | Mike Axisa: Gary Sánchez has been one of the hottest bats on the Yankees within the last month, including mashing 7 homers in his last 13 games. However, when asked if he would be joining in this year’s Home Run Derby after participating in 2017, the Yankees slugger said no. While Sánchez did quite well, he noted that he was exhausted after his performance last time around, and most likely just wants to take the All-Star break as a chance to rest and prepare for the second half of the season.

NY Post | Greg Joyce: The Yankees have had a several players shuffling around in left field this year. From names like Brett Gardner, Miguel Andújar, Clint Frazier, and even the departed Mike Tauchman, all have had their stretches of time manning the position in 2021. As of late, however, it’s been a battle between Andújar and Frazier. For Aaron Boone, it’s been a tough decision regarding who should be out there for his team.

FanGraphs | Sara Sanchez: The Yankees are only the fourth team since at 1916 to turn three triple plays in a season. Yes, the team has been underwhelming thus far in 2021, but turning three triple plays in one season hasn’t been accomplished in 105 years. If the Bombers don’t turn it around this season, fans could at least say that they’ve seen something we may never see in our lifetime again.

ESPN | Buster Olney: This is a podcast rather than a post, but it’s worth noting. Alex Rodriguez recently appeared on Olney’s podcast, and he told a whole bunch of stories from his career, which of course heavily featured the Yankees. A-Rod delved into the trade to the Red Sox that didn’t happen, fighting with Jason Varitek, the 2009 World Series celebration, and pushing Cal Ripken Jr. back to shortstop in the Orioles legend’s last All-Star Game.

As a final news note, a friendly reminder that a stamp was made in Yogi Berra’s honor by the U.S. Postal Service! The unveiling was made at the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center yesterday and our own Jon Rimmer was on the scene. Congratulations again to the Berra family.