If you are a baseball fan, you might have wondered if Mike Yastrzemski, the outfielder for the San Francisco Giants, is related to Carl Yastrzemski, the Hall of Famer and Triple Crown winner who played for the Boston Red Sox. The answer is yes, they are related. Mike is the grandson of Carl, and they share more than just a surname. They also share a passion for baseball and a remarkable talent for the game.
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Who is Mike Yastrzemski?
Mike Yastrzemski was born on August 23, 1990, in Andover, Massachusetts. He is the son of Carl Yastrzemski Jr., who was also a baseball player but never made it to the majors. Mike grew up on his grandfather’s potato farm and learned to play baseball from him. He attended St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers, Massachusetts, where he was a team captain and a star player. He then went to Vanderbilt University on a baseball scholarship, where he became a starter for the Commodores and an All-Southeastern Conference player.
Mike was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 14th round of the 2013 MLB draft, but he spent six years in the minor leagues before making his major league debut with the Giants in 2019. He quickly established himself as a valuable player for the Giants, hitting 21 home runs and 55 RBIs in his rookie season. He also made his first All-Star appearance in 2020, when he led the National League in triples and won the Willie Mac Award for his leadership and spirit. He is currently one of the best hitters on the Giants, with a .244 batting average, 83 home runs, and 244 RBIs as of June 19, 2023.
Who is Carl Yastrzemski?
Carl Yastrzemski was born on August 22, 1939, in Southampton, New York. He is the son of Carl Yastrzemski Sr., who was a potato farmer and a semi-professional baseball player. Carl learned to play baseball from his father and his uncle, who were both outfielders. He attended Bridgehampton School in Bridgehampton, New York, where he excelled in baseball and basketball. He then went to Notre Dame on a basketball scholarship, but he left after one year to pursue his baseball career.
Carl was signed by the Boston Red Sox in 1958 and made his major league debut in 1961. He played his entire 23-year career with the Red Sox, becoming one of the greatest players in franchise history and in baseball history. He was an 18-time All-Star, a seven-time Gold Glove winner, a three-time batting champion, and an American League MVP. He also won the Triple Crown in 1967, leading the league in batting average (.326), home runs (44), and RBIs (121). He is one of only two players to win the Triple Crown since 1941 (the other being Miguel Cabrera in 2012). He is also one of only three players to hit over 400 home runs and have over 3,000 hits (the others being Hank Aaron and Willie Mays). He retired in 1983 with a .285 batting average, 3,419 hits, 452 home runs, and 1,844 RBIs. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989 with 94.63% of the votes.
Mike and Carl are related by blood. Mike is the son of Carl Jr., who is the son of Carl Sr. Mike is therefore Carl’s grandson. They are also related by baseball. Mike inherited his grandfather’s love for the game and his skills as an outfielder and a hitter. They both played college baseball at prestigious schools (Vanderbilt and Notre Dame) and were drafted by American League teams (Orioles and Red Sox). They both made their major league debuts at age 28 and wore number 5 on their jerseys.
Mike and Carl have also supported each other throughout their careers. Carl has been a mentor and an inspiration for Mike since he was a child. He taught him how to play baseball, how to handle pressure, and how to deal with failure. He also attended many of Mike’s games in high school, college, and the minors. Mike has always looked up to his grandfather and tried to emulate his work ethic and attitude. He also honored him by wearing his name on his jersey during Players’ Weekend in 2019.
Mike and Carl have also shared some memorable moments on the field together. In September 2019, Mike hit his first career grand slam at Fenway Park, where Carl played for 23 years. Carl was in attendance and gave Mike a hug after the game. In June 2020, Mike hit his first career walk-off home run at Oracle Park, where Carl threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Carl was watching on TV and called Mike to congratulate him.
Conclusion
Mike Yastrzemski and Carl Yastrzemski are related by blood and by baseball. They are grandson and grandfather, and they are both outstanding outfielders and hitters. They have a strong bond that transcends generations and teams. They are both proud of each other and of their family name. They are both Yastrzemskis, and they are both legends..
