Nick Martinez Returns to Bronx with Rays in Full-Circle ALDS Moment
Rays pitcher Nick Martinez, a Fordham product, is set to start Game 3 of the ALDS in the Bronx against the Yankees, aiming to eliminate his hometown team.
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Nick Martinez is set to start Game 3 of the American League Division Series in the Bronx, facing the New York Yankees with the opportunity to eliminate his hometown team. Martinez, who played collegiately at Fordham University, expressed familiarity with the iconic Yankee Stadium.
"Whenever we had a day off and they were playing at home, we’d come over, catch a train and watch a game at Yankee Stadium," Martinez said. "And we’d be in the bleachers — my roommate or a couple buddies — and I would just watch them and say, ‘Man, obviously playing here would be pretty badass.’"
Martinez's return to the Bronx for a pivotal postseason game represents a full-circle moment in his baseball career. The right-hander is a key part of the Rays' strategy to advance, facing a Yankees team that he once watched from the stands as a fan.
If the Yankees are to extend their season beyond Wednesday, they will need to overcome a pitcher deeply acquainted with the stadium and the pressure of playing in New York. Martinez's experience growing up in the area and attending games at Yankee Stadium could provide him with a unique perspective as he takes the mound in a critical matchup.