Why Yankees' Jahmai Jones will 'never forget' what happened Sunday

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Just past the season’s quarter pole, Jahmai Jones had lingered on the Yankees’ bench, virtually unused.

Jones had six plate appearances in 2024 entering Sunday’s game against the Rays.

“I’ve probably, unfairly, not played him enough frankly,’’ said Yankees manager Aaron Boone, late Sunday afternoon. “He’s ready at any moment, at any situation.’’

A second baseman by-trade, Jones found himself batting ninth Sunday, as the Yankees’ starting left fielder – only his second start in the Yankees’ first 42 games this year.

“I knew my role and I knew this was a special lineup to begin with,’’ said the consistently upbeat Jones, never questioning his status. “Any chance I get to fit in, I’m just ready no matter what.’’

What transpired on Mother’s Day, in a 10-6 Yankees win, will stay with Jones forever.

Jahmai Jones' memorable first homer as a Yankee

It was Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus who mentioned to Boone that Jones is “going deep today, I don’t know if it’s this at-bat,’’ as the 26-year-old led off the third inning.

A moment later, Jones collected his first career MLB home run, a drive to left at Tropicana Field off Rays lefty starter Tyler Alexander.

“To do it on this day, I can’t really put it into words,’’ Jones said of the homer, a personal milestone on Mother’s Day, with his mom watching the game on TV.

“We’ve been through a lot together,’’ said Jones, whose father passed away the year Jones entered his high school freshman year in Peachtree Corners, Georgia.

“She had to take on a lot of things to keep things as normal as they could be,’’ Jones said of his mother’s care for him and his five siblings. “Without her, I wouldn’t be here for sure.’’

Those thoughts were with Jones as he circled the bases, Sunday, after watching the flight of his drive.

Yankees security retrieved the home run ball for Jones with some degree of difficulty, as the ball landed in the left field stands and was eventually passed on to a child from a family of Yankees fans.

A meeting was arranged outside the clubhouse and a trade of an autographed bat and batting gloves was made, enabling Jones to secure a precious souvenir.

That first home run, coming on Mother’s Day, is “something I’ll never forget,’’ said Jones. “And I can’t wait to give her a call.’’

Jahmai Jones' overwhelming support from Yankees teammates

A former second round draft pick by the Los Angeles Angels, Jones arrived at his fifth organization in five years when the Yankees claimed him off waivers Feb. 28 from the Milwaukee Brewers.

Out of minor league options, Jones made the Opening Day roster and remained planted on the bench.

“Pinch-running, defensive replacement, pinch-hit – just staying ready for another opportunity,’’ said the right-handed hitting Jones, who played in a career-high 26 games with the 2021 Orioles.

Despite being anchored to the Yankees’ bench, “it’s kind of hard to have a bad day,’’ said the ever-ebullient Jones, 26, who took grounders at third base and fly balls to expand his versatility.

“I love baseball, I love being a part of this team and we’re winning,’’ Jones said. “That’s all that matters.’’

Jones’ teammates have appreciated his daily upbeat personality and constant work, despite his almost complete lack of playing time, and it showed during the team’s postgame clubhouse celebration.

Overwhelmed by “the support I get from every single person in this locker room,’’ Jones said he’s “had multiple conversations with everybody about different things’’ during this early season.

“And the culmination of that just speaks to the culture that’s in here,’’ Jones said. “It’s something special, and something that I think is going to really pay dividends down the stretch.’’

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees' Jahmai Jones had an unforgettable game vs. Tampa Bay Rays