Aug 5, 2021; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Joey Gallo (13) follows through on a three run home run against the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Joey Gallo hit his first home run as a member of the New York Yankees, and it is officially one of the weirdest homers of all-time.
The New York Yankees had no intent of selling at the trade deadline, as evidenced by their two huge acquisitions in Anthony Rizzo and Joey Gallo. Rizzo hit his first home run with the Yankees in his first game with the team. Nearly a week later, Gallo finally hit his first homer, and it happened to take place in Yankee Stadium.
In Thursday’s game against the Seattle Mariners, Gallo stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton on base, trailing 3-2. On the second pitch thrown by Paul Sewald, Gallo launched a high home run that just squeaked over the right field fence to give the Yankees a 5-3 lead.
Joey Gallo’s first home run with the Yankees was a history maker
We were not joking when saying Gallo’s home run was high. According to Sarah Langs of MLB.com, the launch angle of the outfielder’s homer was measured at 48-degrees. That is the highest he’s ever recorded on a home run in his career, and it is tied for the highest launch angle ever recorded on a Yankees home run by Statcast.
Yankees play-by-play commentator Michael Kay put it best — this was Gallo’s “signature Yankee moment.” Not only did he record his first ever home run while wearing pinstripes, but it helped lead the team to a victory, albeit after watching a stressful outing from closer Aroldis Chapman that nearly blew the game.