Manny Machado became the first player to homer over Yankee Stadium's center-field restaurant
Ever since the new Yankee Stadium was built in 2009, the restaurant in center field beyond Monument Park has been an enticing target for the game's best power hitters. Yet through eight full seasons, no one had managed to clear the restaurant entirely. It would take a truly special player to hit one that far.
Enter
Gracious.
The 470-foot drive was not only the furthest hit at Yankee Stadium in the Statcast era, but also the longest of 2017 to date.
Other players have come close to clearing the batter's eye. During the stadium's inaugural season on July 2, 2009, the Mariners' Russell Branyan had to settle for being the first player to simply hit the restaurant.
Then on April 6, 2016, the Astros'
The Yankees themselves offered a strong contender last year, as well, and it was from a man who is no stranger to monster shots --
Although Judge has cleared it in batting practice, Machado beat him to the punch in gameplay, despite the Yankees slugger's own Friday roundtrippers.
There is only one question that needs to be answered. Since Manny was kind enough to hit one over the restaurant instead of against it, does he win a free steak?