NEW YORK – During the majors, players from each team have spoken about the excitement of having fans back in the stands, but there was an added feel for Venezuelan Yankees shortstop Gleyber Torres in the inaugural series at home.
“My parents are seeing me again,” said Torres. “Last year I couldn’t see my parents, so it’s very important to me that they see me play, just like when I was young.”
The Caracas resident was raised by his parents, Eusebio Torres and Ibelise Castro, who stayed in Venezuela last year. Torres started playing baseball when he was five, and his father claims he started noticing his special skills when he was nine.
“At nine o’clock kids play baseball, but they don’t stand out like Gleyber did,” said Eusebio Torres in 2019. “That allowed me to dream and realize that Gleyber had a special talent. I visualized him and told his mother and grandmother that Gleyber was going to play professional baseball. ”
Although Yankee Stadium has had a capacity of up to 20% – the highest attendance was 10,850 people – Torres says he was excited to have an audience in the stadium again.
“It’s very good,” said Torres. “I love seeing my parents every day. They come to the field and watch me play. I am grateful to them and the fans in the stands. It’s great to play in New York and see thousands of fans support us. “