No love was lost between New York Yankees fans and Aaron Hicks when their former left fielder returned to Yankee Stadium on Monday for the first time as a Baltimore Oriole.
Aaron Hicks returned to Yankee Stadium on Monday, unsure of the reception he would receive. Despite receiving boos while playing for the New York Yankees, he hoped to be treated like any other visiting opponent.
"They're normally pretty tough on visiting players," Hicks said about Yankees fans before the Orioles' 6-3 loss. "I'm not worried about that too much. I'm just here to pretty much go about my day and try to do everything possible to help my team win."
Hicks jogged to left field and was quickly met with boos from the crowd. He was booed during his first at-bat and when the Yankees played a tribute video for him before the second inning. He went 1-for-4 with a single and a strikeout on the evening.
Yankees fans meet Aaron Hicks with the same boos he left the Bronx with
Here are some clips of Yankees fans giving Hicks the boos he has become accustomed to at Yankee Stadium:
His batting average was a dreadful .188 by May 20th before the Yankees granted his release on May 26th.
During his 26 games with Baltimore entering Monday, he's maintained a batting average of .263 and an OPS of .854. He filled in for Cedric Mullins when he was injured and played so exceptionally well that manager Brandon Hyde couldn't remove him from the lineup.
Hicks had a smooth return amongst his former teammates. During batting practice, he conversed with catcher Jose Trevino and outfielder Willie Calhoun, wearing orange socks, cleats, gloves, and a new beard.
Hicks, 33, said he did not desire to prove himself to the Yankees and did not request his release. However, he has welcomed the change of scenery. "They made a decision for them," Hicks said to the New York Post. "And now I'm happy with the situation I'm in. It would be dumb to be mad." "I love the organization, I'd been there so long, it's always gonna be a part of me. I have a lot to be proud of with the New York Yankees and love a lot of people there. Being a Yankee is tough on its own. Being there a long time is even harder. I'm just happy where I am now."
Still speaking to the Post, Hicks said Aaron Boone was the one who broke the bad news to him. "There was no better person to tell me. That kind of stuff is kind of cut-throat, and it's better getting it from someone you go way back with."
"The last couple of years, he was one of the guys that kinda got into the crosshairs. He did a lot of really good things here, too, and had a few really good seasons here," Boone said. "Had some really good postseason moments here, and hopefully, as time goes (on), that appreciation will be there." But for now, Hicks should brace for the wrath of the Bronx faithful, whether he likes it or not.
