NEW YORK -- Alex Verdugo thoroughly enjoyed his first home run in pinstripes at Yankee Stadium earlier this month. He swatted the sweeper from Miami Marlins starter A.J. Puk, falling to one knee, and unhurriedly observed as the ball carried over the short porch in right field. He relished the moment with one of his typical leisurely home run trots. Then the barking started.
The canine noises began with Verdugo's high-pitched yelping as he jogged off the field. Think Chihuahua. They grew deeper as he high-fived teammates through the dugout -- festive, full-throated woofs from Verdugo & Co.