Yankees Return to Arizona Roots as Spring Training Begins
MESA, Ariz. – The New York Yankees’ return to Arizona for Spring Training marked a significant moment, being the first visit in 75 years. Manager Aaron Boone expressed his delight at trading Florida’s humidity for the dry heat of the desert, feeling at home at Sloan Park, a location he previously called home for 14 years before taking the helm in New York.
“For the most part, we raised our kids here,” Boone said. “We have a lot of great friends here, so it’s just a special place to me.”
This year’s Spring Training visit coincides with a unique scheduling anomaly, mirroring a similar occurrence in 1951. That year, the Yankees visited Arizona due to then-co-owner Del Webb’s desire to showcase the club to his local friends, resulting in a Spring Training swap with the New York Giants.
The 1951 visit allowed fans to witness a young Mickey Mantle’s first exhibition season alongside Joe DiMaggio’s last.
Boone, who played for six different teams throughout his 12-year career, emphasized his fondness for the Grand Canyon State, particularly with the Yankees opening the season on the West Coast.
“I love it, you know, especially for us opening on the West Coast,” Boone said. “It’s always good to gain back to the desert, and yeah, it’s exciting to come play in this venue.”
The Yankees narrowly avoided a record-breaking heatwave that impacted the southwestern United States during their visit, with temperatures reaching the upper 90s.
Lagrange Looks Ahead After Spring Showcase
Pitcher Carlos Lagrange savored his experience with the Major League club during Spring Training, despite a challenging final appearance. He averaged 98.9 mph on his four-seam fastball, throwing 66 pitches, 38 for strikes. However, he allowed eight runs in 2 2/3 innings against the Chicago Cubs.
Lagrange acknowledged the quality of the opposing lineup, stating through an interpreter, “It was definitely the best lineup I’ve faced this spring. It jumps out that they know how to look for a pitch, and they’re ready to attack in different counts.”
The 22-year-old, named the Yankees’ most outstanding rookie in Spring Training with the 2026 James P. Dawson Award, will begin the season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Boone expressed confidence in Lagrange’s development, noting, “He’s kept his head down as far as continuing to get better, that’s the biggest thing. I feel like he’s grown over the winter and into Spring Training here, and I’m really excited about where he’s at.”
Lagrange expressed his enthusiasm for the experience, stating, “It was a great experience to travel with the team and have fun. It leaves you wanting more, and it gives you hunger to preserve working harder to get it.”