There were little jitters and loud boos when Alex Verdugo first stepped up to the plate. There he was standing in the Fenway Park – a place he called his home just a year ago. But this time Verdugo was dressed in Pinstripes and he knew the Boston Red Sox fans would welcome him “like a Yankee.” However, despite heavy boos, the star stood firm and the New York Yankees skipper understood what was in Verdugo’s mind.

Alex Verdugo had grown a little quiet during the lead-up to this series. The star knew the kind of pressure he was about to feel. Though the trade to the Yankees proved to be the better choice for him, going up against the Red Sox would not be an easy task. But as Aaron Boone explained in his postgame interview, Verdugo’s attitude remained positive. And that was one of the reasons why Boone “never felt” the need to have a one-on-one conversation with Verdugo.

“I didn’t feel a need necessarily to talk to him, but I was paying attention to him,” Boone said about Verdugo, adding, “Like keeping my eye on him a little more. And my touch points with him, touching base with him. Just make sure he was good and all, but not the need to like pull him in and talk to him.” But why didn’t Boone feel the need? It was because of Verdugo’s love affair with grand situations.

“He likes the action, he’s a gamer,” Boone said about Verdugo’s attitude, continuing, “That’s what I’ve always kind of admired about him, just from the other side the last few years. And that’s what he’s brought over here.” Certainly, Verdugo’s penchant for creating memorable moments isn’t hidden from anyone. However, the Yankees star surprised even himself with his performance. Despite the boos raining on him, Verdugo went 3-for-5 with a home run, double, and four RBIs! The New York Yankees dugout was filled with barks as they saw their teammate exorcise the ghosts of his past.

Alex Verdugo’s Red Sox return shows how Brian Cashman won in that trade

Fans were a little skeptical after the Yankees traded for Verdugo. He was coming off a disappointing season with the Red Sox. But from the moment the star stepped foot in the Yankees clubhouse, he hasn’t been anything short of a revelation. From his huge impact on the team culture to owning the cleanup spot, he’s been everything the Yankees have needed for a few years.

“It was pure adrenaline, just fired up,” Verdugo said per New York Post. “I wasn’t really expecting to swing first pitch. To put it out of the ballpark and give us an early 2-0 lead was big. I kind of let a little yell out around first and when I hit second, I saw my dugout going crazy,” he added. Certainly, the Yankees are enjoying their time with Verdugo.

As for Brian Cashman, he’s once again shown why he’s been the GM for so long. Trades like this show just how deeply he understands the Yankees’ team culture. What do you make of Verdugo’s Red Sox return? Share your thoughts below.