TAMPA — The Yankees are getting a new teammate next week.
He just happens to play quarterback for the Seahawks.
And he’s already challenging the superstar sluggers in the Bombers’ lineup.
Russell Wilson will arrive at camp on Monday and be with the Yankees for six days, a source confirmed.
Aaron Judge eager to have a catch (football) with Russell Wilson
Wilson, however, will not play in any spring training games, according to a team spokesman. He will wear No. 73.
“Hey, New York City: I’m here, I got the Yankees hat on, (and) I’m headed to spring training on Monday. I can’t wait to see you guys Feb. 26. We’re going to have some fun for that week,” Wilson said in a video he posted to social media.
“And hey, Aaron Judge: I know you want to throw some passes, so let’s play some ball and we’ll have a little Home Run Derby, too. (Gianacarlo) Stanton, I’m coming for you, too. We’ll have some fun baby. So I’ll see you guys. And hey, let’s go win a World Series. Why not? Peace.”
The Yankees acquired Wilson, a Super Bowl champion, from the Rangers. He played minor-league ball in the Rockies organization in 2010-11, posting a .710 OPS.
“I’m excited,” Aaron Boone said. “I think he’s coming in for several days, actually. I know he loves baseball, was a Yankee fan growing up, so I know how excited first and foremost he is to come here and be around these guys. But yeah we’re talking about a high-character guy, a guy who has won at the highest level in the NFL and as a quarterback, leadership obviously is a huge role for him and he’s developed a reputation of being a tremendous leader. So anytime we can get people like that around our guys it’s something that will we welcome and just excited that I believe he’s just as excited to be here as we are to have him.”
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Wilson has a locker inside the clubhouse at Steinbrenner Field between Tyler Austin and newcomer Brandon Drury, who grew up a Seahawks fan. “I’ve been to games and I’m a big Russell Wilson fan, so it’s pretty cool,” Drury said.
Asked what he could take away from Wilson, Drury replied: “The guy’s a winner, so whether it’s baseball or off the field stuff, just even mental stuff, you can pick a guy’s brain like that. I know he’s smart and studies the game and cares, so I’m real excited to get to know him for sure.”
Judge had said he'd “love to” play catch with Wilson. “I’ll have to bring my football in,” Judge said.
Judge played wide receiver and defensive end at Linden High School in California. As a senior, he set program records for catches (54), yards (969) and TDs (17).
Judge was recruited by UCLA, Stanford and Notre Dame, but fell in love with baseball, playing collegiately at Fresno State.