Who steps up to strengthen the team and keep that family vibe alive? The captain of the team, right? Enter Alex Verdugo, who feels the unwavering support of his captain, Aaron Judge, every step of the way! The Yankees have a long history of celebrating together—whether it’s Judge launching his 50th home run in a season, Juan Soto’s electrifying streak, or the unforgettable moment of giving a rookie their first retrograde drink shower. So, how could they possibly let Wednesday slip by without a celebration?

After a rough stretch, the Yankees got down to business on Wednesday night, clinching a postseason berth with a thrilling 2-1 win over the Mariners in 10 innings. The vibes in the visiting clubhouse? Off the charts; they celebrated this huge achievement with a wild champagne and beer bash— and why wouldn’t they? Amid all the laughter and cheers, veteran Alex Verdugo really stood out. After a season full of ups and downs, he was right there in the middle of the party, pouring his heart out!

Alex Verdugo spells out what keeps the Bronx Bombers together

The 28-year-old started by looking back upon what this year has been, with so many ups and downs, “It’s been a long year, but this is the time of the year they boys know the mission,” he said with a grin. After trudging through a rough August, the team was able to flip the script in September. With Wednesday’s win, they’ve officially clinched a playoff berth. Despite missing out on last year’s playoffs following a miserable 82-80 season, the victory becomes even sweeter; and now they are eyeing the next best thing: Clinching the AL division!

If this happens, it will mark Aaron Judge‘s first division clinch after being the captain. But Alex didn’t just focus on their on-field mission; he also said that beyond that, off the field too, they are together as a family. All thanks to their captain, Aaron Judge, who, according to Verdugo, “leads by example.” With his powerful gameplay this year, an OPS of 1.144, 53 home runs, and 136 RBI, Judge is indeed in beast mode. Although his last few games have been slow, he remains the top contender for MVP.

Beyond being the beast on the field, Alex also revealed how Judge is responsible for making the Bronx Bombers feel like a family together. But what is his mantra? Well, according to the slugger, it’s to “be yourself,” and once you are, the team will appreciate and back you up! Every player in the New York Yankees abides by this rule – if we take the case of Alex seeing his season 2024, he definetly needed that emotional support!

Why Verdugo needed to ‘be himself’?