NEW YORK – That ground-shaking moment at Yankee Stadium wasn’t caused by Juan Soto being introduced or Aaron Judge launching a long home run.
It was caused by a 4.8 magnitude earthquake that rolled in during Yankees’ batting practice as they prepared for Friday’s home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays.
None of the Yankees’ pregame activities were interrupted Friday morning. Several of the team’s on-field personnel either didn’t feel the ground shake or regarded the 10:23 a.m. event as a minor curiosity.
“I grew up in these things,’’ said Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who attended the University of Southern California and lived in SoCal when his father, Bob, played for the Angels.
At first, “I thought it was the sound system, actually,’’ said Boone, who was standing near the batting cage. “Then, I’m like, ‘No that wasn’t the sound system.’ I felt that. Just vibration under my feet.
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‘I’m used to it.’’
As a student at USC, Boone experienced the devastating 1994 Northridge earthquake.
“(It) was not like today’s earthquake. It was the real deal,’’ said Boone.
Fans had yet to be admitted into the ballpark when the ground-shaking event occurred.
Yankees bench coach Luis Rojas said he “felt something’’ and was “glad to hear that I’m not going crazy,’’ when others mentioned feeling the ground shake.
“I was standing at second base, waiting for the guys to come out in the outfield to do some work,’’ said Rojas, when he felt the ground vibrate.
He then shared a look with Yankees catcher Jose Trevino, in a “did you feel that?’’ moment.
But others on the field didn’t feel anything unusual.
“First time I’m hearing about it,’’ said infielder Oswaldo Cabrera, who was taking grounders at third base at the time.
“I thought you (asked) if I’m always shaking,’’ Cabrera said with a laugh.
