The Yankees envisioned Aaron Hicks regularly feasting on The Stadium’s short porch in right field when they signed him to a seven-year, $70 million contract extension in 2019.
Hicks finally did so Tuesday afternoon, but it was far from the way the Yankees had originally planned for it.
Now with the Orioles, the unpopular ex-Yankees outfielder belted a solo home run during the team’s Fourth of July clash against the Yankees in The Bronx.
After recording a single during the Giants’ 6-3 loss Monday evening, it was Hicks’ second hit of the series in what has been his first trip back to his old stomping grounds.
The fifth-inning blast cut the Orioles’ deficit to 3-1, and preceded the next two batters’ double and home run to tie the game at 3-3.
It traveled just 372 feet with a 99.1 mph exit velocity, and would have been a homer in just four MLB ballparks, according to Home Run Report, benefiting from the infamous right field fence at Yankee Stadium he failed to capitalize on in his over seven seasons in The Bronx.
Hicks has heard loud boos from Yankees fans throughout the series, similar to the ire he felt while he was on the team.
He’s been heckled during every at-bat, while he stands in left field, and even during a tribute video the Yankees played on the big screen for him prior to Monday’s game.
That continued after his home run on Tuesday, and fans threw the ball back on the field as he was rounding the bases.
The 33-year-old Hicks endured nightmarish struggles at the plate with the Yankees this season and in recent seasons since his extension.
It reached a boiling point in late May, and the Yankees finally cut their losses and designated Hicks for assignment.
He owned a .188/.263/.261 slash line with a .524 OPS and one home run when the Yankees made the move, with New York still owing him about $27 million over the next three years.
After subsequently signing with the Orioles, Hicks has enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance.
Hicks entered Tuesday with a .262./.374/.465 slash line with a .838 OPS and four homers with Baltimore.