Minnesota Twins pitcher Ervin Santana isn’t fond of Yankees Stadium after Greg Bird blasted two home runs off him in Wednesday’s game.
To be fair, Santana did give Bird credit for one of the dingers, but he staunchly believes the second was due solely to the layout of the stadium.
“The other one was a very good pitch, out and way, and he just hit it very good. I know, probably in another park that’s a double. But here, it’s a joke,” he said, via NJ.com.
Nobody will argue the ease with which many left-handed batters can stroke balls out of the ballpark. The porch was crafted to mimic the old stadium’s legendary home-run magnet, and nobody would argue that the stadium isn’t a hitter’s park.
However, when examining the evidence from yesterday’s action, it does appear Santana’s statement fails to ring true.
Here’s the first home run—Bird’s first in the big leagues—which hit the second deck and would likely have been out in most stadiums.
As for the second home run, Santana wasn’t wrong—Bird hit the crap out of this ball.
Well over 400 feet, this ball traveled all the way to the back of the bullpen.
It’s understandable that Santana hates Yankees Stadium. He has never had success pitching in this park, compiling a record of 0-4 with an ERA of 8.14. Yesterday’s embarrassment only further etches the negative perception into his mind.
On another note, it’s almost certain Santana won’t ever be receiving a call to come to the Big Apple as a free agent.