Field of Dreams 'an honor' for Boone, Yanks

DYERSVILLE, Iowa -- The Yankees peered out their bus windows at acres of cornfields on Thursday, many of them taking in America’s heartland for the first time. They gasped when the light standards came into view, sighting the pristine diamond carved into that fertile land.

As the Yankees and White Sox approached the site immortalized by "Field of Dreams," the experience exceeded imagination. As the buses rolled past lawns and porches filled with waving Iowans, it was impossible not to feel as though one had been transported back time.

“Guys were just glued to the windows, checking out the scenery,” Aaron Judge said. “A lot of guys from different countries have seen big cities, but they haven’t seen open fields like this. It was pretty cool dropping in and seeing everybody in town, standing on the sides of the roads with signs and cheering us on as we were coming in. It was a pretty cool experience that I know I won’t forget.”

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that he considered it “an honor” to participate in the Field of Dreams Game. In the hours before first pitch, Boone wandered out to the field in street clothes, marveling at the details that were incorporated in making the 8,000-seat facility into reality, such as the weathered-wood manual scoreboard in right field, meant to evoke turn-of-the-century ball.

“I would say that I came in with pretty high expectations, and it was breathtaking rolling up on it,” Boone said. “I think it’s just such a great idea that Major League Baseball has come up with over these last several years, just being creative and creating a really great venue.”

Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu said that he felt instantly at home in the venue, having played in small-town baseball tournaments frequently while growing up in Michigan.

“It’s a special place for a baseball player and baseball fans,” LeMahieu said. “They did an unbelievable job on the field. The clubhouse is great. Everybody seems to be having a good time enjoying themselves and taking in this experience.”

Bombers bits
Gerrit Cole and Jordan Montgomery were in uniform before Thursday’s game, though they have not been activated from the COVID-19 injured list. The hurlers are expected to toss bullpen sessions this weekend in Chicago, then could be activated during the Yanks’ upcoming homestand.

This date in Yankees history
Aug. 12, 1964: Mickey Mantle homered from both sides of the plate, helping rookie right-hander Mel Stottlemyre win his Major League debut. It marked the 10th time that Mantle had homered from both sides of the plate, extending his big league record.