The Bronx was abuzz on Friday with Yankees fans celebrating the team’s 2024 home opener — and having survived a rare 4.8 magnitude earthquake that shook New York City about two and a half hours before game time.
Neither the earthquake nor the game time temperature — a chilly 46 degrees — could keep people away from the ballpark. After all, Yankees fans had a lot to celebrate, as the team is off to a great start to the season after winning six of its first seven games.
Despite losing Friday’s game to the visiting Toronto Blue Jays 3-0, the Bronx is still buzzing.
Friday’s game marked the home debut for superstar outfielder Juan Soto, one of Major League Baseball’s best players who was traded to the team in December. Many Yankees fans were dressed in Soto’s No. 22 pinstripe jerseys and gave the star a huge round of applause during introductions before the game and every at-bat.
A group of guys attending their second Yankees home opener seemed skeptical about whether the earthquake would signal good fortune for the team. One told the Bronx Times he was “slightly concerned,” and another said, “We don’t know yet — but we’ll find out.”
The Bronx Times also spoke to two women who said they have attended 30 opening days — and their father, who was with them, has attended 50.
Even after all those years, he said he still feels “like a little kid” on opening day.
“Especially with the Yankees coming home six and one, we never expected that,” he said. “I think we have a good shot this year.”
As for the earthquake, one of the sisters said they were driving in and never felt it — not that it would’ve stopped them.
“Maybe it’s the Yankees just rumbling the Bronx a little bit, so we’re gonna have a rumbling kind of year,” she said.
The Yankees will look to bounce back Saturday night against the Blue Jays, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The AL East rivals will conclude their series on Sunday.
Reach Emily Swanson at eswanson@schnepsmedia.com or (646) 717-0015. For more coverage, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @bronxtimes
