Here are some signature Yankees moments

It's his signature Yankee moment!

Yankees announcer Michael Kay has made a habit of using that phrase when a new arrival delivers his first big hit in a Yankees uniform in the Bronx. Here are some of the best signature moments since 2002.

Joey Gallo, Aug. 5, 2021

Acquired from Texas on July 29, 2021, Gallo had gone 2-for-23 in six games to begin his Yankees career. Then came his breakthrough night against the Mariners. He ripped three hits -- including his signature moment, a three-run, go-ahead homer in the seventh inning.

Gallo rounded the bases to elated cheers from the Yankees fans in attendance, then -- at their behest -- he made his way back out of the dugout for a curtain call. It was as surreal a moment as they come for Gallo, who grew up a Yankees fan himself, considered Derek Jeter his idol and wears No. 13 as Alex Rodriguez did before him.

“The 10-year-old me would be crying right now and not believing what’s going on,” Gallo said. “It’s really crazy. It’s something that I have to like take a step back from and be like, ‘I’m at Yankee Stadium, getting a curtain call from Yankees fans.’ It’s crazy to me. It’s just an honor to play for this organization and help them win.”

Giancarlo Stanton, June 20, 2018

Stanton's ninth-inning, two-run walk-off homer against Seattle marked the high point of what had been an up-and-down ride for the slugger. Acquired from the Marlins on Dec. 11, 2017, Stanton heard plenty of boos during the first few frigid homestands of 2018.

But that on all changed on this June night in the Bronx.

"It's just cool, man. It's a fun moment," Stanton said. "It's good future memories. That's what you always want, man. You help win a game and you've got the whole team waiting for you."

Brian McCann, Aug. 24, 2014

McCann, who signed five-year, $85 million contract with the Yankees on Dec. 3, 2013, came off the bench to deliver a pinch-hit, three-run shot in the bottom of the 10th against the White Sox.

"It was special," McCann said. "Rounding the bases, that was definitely a moment that I'll never forget. I've been able to do some cool things in the game and that ranks right up there at the top."

Mark Teixeira, Aug. 9, 2009

Teixeira signed a huge seven-year, $184 million deal with the Yankees prior to the 2009 season. And it was fitting that his signature moment came against the club that nearly signed him -- the rival Red Sox. Teixeira hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth as New York completed its first four-game home sweep of Boston in 24 years.

Holding his bat in the air as he headed for first base, Teixeira watched his dramatic dinger land in the second deck in right, earning a curtain call from the fans in the Bronx.

Alex Rodriguez, Aug. 4, 2004

"The Yankees were waiting for that."

A-Rod seemed to be headed to the rival Red Sox during the 2003 offseason, but instead Texas traded him -- and his enormous contract -- to the Yankees in February 2004. For A-Rod, this was his fourth career walk-off homer -- but his first in pinstripes. He pumped his fist as he rounded first base, and pointed to the center-field camera as he approached second base.

Hideki Matsui, April 8, 2003

"What an introduction to Yankee Stadium ... Think he has a flair for the dramatic?"

Affectionately known as Godzilla, Matsui signed with the Yankees after a monster career with Japan's Yomiuri Giants. In the Yankees' 2003 home opener against the Twins, Matsui came to the plate in the fifth inning with the bases loaded and very loud Yankees fans on their feet. He became the first Yankee to hit a grand slam in his first game at Yankee Stadium. The ballpark erupted, and Matsui got a curtain call.

Jason Giambi, May 17, 2002

Giambi came to the Bronx with much fanfare from Oakland, signing a 7-year $120 million deal with the Yanks on Dec. 13, 2001. On a rainy May night in the Bronx, Giambi produced his first magical pinstriped moment. With the Yankees down 12-9 in the 14th inning against the Twins, Giambi ripped an ultimate grand slam - classified as a player hitting a bases-loaded, walk-off homer when his team enters its final at-bat trailing by three runs.

It was the 21st time a player had hit a game-ending grand slam with his team down three runs. Babe Ruth was the only previous Yankee to do it, on Sept. 24, 1925.

"This is the setup we've been waiting for since we signed Jason Giambi," Yankees manager Joe Torre said after the game. "I don't know how many times I've been asked when is he going to have his defining moment."