Why ex-Red Sox player Alex Verdugo brought gifts to the Yankees before the World Series game

Alex Verdugo endured a roller coaster ride to start the 2024 World Series with the New York Yankees.

He had a defensive error in a loss in Game 1, came on a deflection against New York before Game 2, and gave the Yankees their only offense in Game 3 with a two-out, two-run home run in the ninth inning.

Verdugo made headlines again with a change in the clubhouse, trying to restore spirits with New York one game away from elimination. Rowan Kavner of FOX Sports reported Wednesday that the team received new shoes from his current teammate and former Red Sox outfielder.

“Jazz Chisholm thought about wearing Timberlands on the field for batting practice,” Kavner wrote. “They were gifted to the team by outfielder Alex Verdugo, who 'just wanted to do something cool for the guys.'”

The strangest reasons can give a team a moment, but why did Verdugo think momentum could come with new boots?

“Verdugo, whose ninth-inning home run the night before scored the only runs in Game 3, tried to loosen things up,” Kavner added. “Well, plus he 'felt like Timberlands was just like New York' and he 'wanted to get the boys some tap shoes.'” “For me it was more about giving that to them, giving them something, um to loosen it up,” Verdugo said.”

Verdugo and the Yankees look to send the series against the Dodgers back to Los Angeles with Game 5 on Wednesday night, with first pitch scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET.