Yankees’ bragger finally has teammates believing he’s right

TL;DR

Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz impresses teammates with his pitching and defensive skills, leading Aaron Judge to express newfound belief in Cruz's stories. In a recent game, Cruz executed a remarkable play, showcasing his talent.

Key points

Fernando Cruz tells stories about his past as a shortstop and third baseman.
Aaron Judge expresses newfound belief in Cruz's abilities.
Cruz made a remarkable defensive play during the game.
Yankees won the game against the Rangers 3-2.

YankeesFernando CruzAaron JudgeRangers

ARLINGTON, Texas — A lot of Yankees have heard reliever Fernando Cruz’s stories. He tells them that he was drafted by the Royals as a shortstop and played third base in the minors before switching to pitching.

He’s told stories about his defensive skills at the hot corner.

“Oh, we’ve heard him, we’ve heard him!” Aaron Judge said with a laugh Tuesday night after the Yankees held off the Rangers 3-2. “I think I might believe him now.”

In a game filled with terrific fielding by the Yankees, Cruz pulled off the best play. When the game was on the line in the eighth inning, the right-hander fielded a bunt and threw while on his back to get a force out at third base.

“That was sick,” said third baseman Ryan McMahon, who also made a great play holding the bag with a long stretch. “I didn’t even see it, then I look, and Cruz is on the ground throwing the ball to me.”

With two Rangers on base and no outs, and the Yankees leading 2-0, Joc Pederson laid down a bunt between the pitcher’s mound and third base.

Cruz slid to field the ball and ended up on his back. Somehow, he made a 35-foot throw on the money to third that just beat Brandon Nimmo.

“I threw that ball on my back,” Cruz said. “It was kind of funny. At the same time, it was a big play of the game.”

After the web gem, Cruz did his best pitching. Throwing nothing but splitters, he struck out Jake Burger on three pitches and then fanned pinch-hitter on four pitches to end the inning.