PETERSBURG, Fla. — When Jermai Jones returned to the Yankees’ clubhouse after Sunday’s game, the entire team was waiting for him to celebrate his first career home run, which included dousing him with beer. It may or may not have been included.
When reporters met in manager Aaron Boone’s office after the 10-6 victory over the Rays at Tropicana Field, the clubhouse buzz was still going on.
But waiting for Jones at her locker on Mother’s Day was a text from her mother, Michelle.
“She just said, ‘I’m so happy for you,'” Jones said. “The fact that they did it for her Mother’s Day is special. I can’t wait until she calls me later.”
When Jones was nearly 14 years old, he lost his father, Andre, to a brain aneurysm.
From that point on, Jones’ mother “had to take on a lot of different things to keep everything as normal as possible” for Jones and his five siblings.
On Sunday, Michele watched from her family’s home in Georgia as her son, just making his second start of the season, hit the first home run of his career that sparked the Yankees’ victory.
“My mom means a lot to me,” Jones said. “We’ve been through so much together. To do it on this day is truly indescribable. It’s something I’ll never forget and I’ll never call her after this.” I can’t wait.
“If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be here, definitely.”
The Yankees were elated when Jones returned to the dugout after the home run and when he was in the clubhouse after the game.
The 26-year-old, who was placed on waivers by the Yankees during spring training, had appeared at the plate for just six times this season before starting in left field in place of Alex Verdugo on Sunday.
Coach Boone said Jones’ play was “probably unfair,” but praised the second baseman and left fielder’s overall demeanor.
“I bring the same energy to the field every day,” Boone said. “We’re going to have a long season, so you don’t want your energy to be sucked away. You want someone who can give you energy every day. And he does that. He accepts his role, works hard and… He’s always ready for any situation and I’m excited to get him out there today and have him deliver like he did and the boys appreciate that. I know there are.”
The way they celebrated Jones after the game — “It was a good effort, it was fun for the team, it was great,” Jose Trevino said — was a testament to that.
“He’s a really hard-working guy,” Gleyber Torres said. “He got a chance to play today and had a great performance. That’s the great thing about playing baseball.”
Jones, who then gave out a walk and was hit by a pitch, recovered the ball from a fan who recovered a home run in the left field seats.
When asked if he was frustrated by his limited role this season, Jones smiled.
“It’s kind of hard to have a bad day,” he said. “I love it. I love baseball and I love being a part of this team. We’re winning, that’s what matters. Where I fit in is exactly what I’m trying to do. As long as the team is winning, you’ll never see me smile.”
