https://theathletic.com/3304353/2022/05 ... new-teams/
In the fifth inning that day, the Yankees’ Isiah Kiner-Falefa bounced into a double play. The runner on first was Rizzo. So off he loped toward second base, where the throw for the forceout was about to be gathered up by the shortstop for the Tigers — some guy named Báez. So Rizzo dutifully slid into the bag, hopped up and then wrapped Báez in a hug, right there in the middle of the field.
“Did he get up and hug you?” I asked Báez later.
“Yeah, all the time,” Báez answered, laughing. “We’re really close, always. All those guys with that team from (2016) stayed really close.”
“Did he say something when he popped up there?”
“No, he was just saying I was in his way.”
When you win together, when you obliterate a 108-year-old franchise curse together, the bonds you build are stronger than the Chicago Water Tower. So of course, these men still feel those bonds, no matter where they play, no matter what teams their longtime amigos play for.
SCHWARBER: “I think that’s the common thing you’ll get from everyone, is that we’re all family from what we did there.”
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“When you see these guys, what’s the conversation?” I asked Báez.
“The first thing we do is smile, to be honest,” he replied.
“And what does that smile say?”
“It’s brotherhood — and I love you.”
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“What’s the status of the Bryzzo Corp. these days?”
RIZZO: “A lot of tax calls, things like that.”
“Still have your corporate status?”
RIZZO: “The corporation is on hold. COVID supply-chain issues.”
“At least the intern turned out OK.”
RIZZO: “Yeah, the intern got promoted — and then he fired his two bosses.”
