Before returning to Yankee Stadium for the first time as a rival, Gleyber Torres visited an old friend: the team’s barber.
The Detroit Tigers’ All-Star second baseman appeared with a clean cut, braids, and a well-groomed beard, ready to face the organization that formed him and that, after seven seasons, showed no interest in retaining him.The Tigers took care of business on Tuesday, defeating the Yankees with a score of 12-9, fueled by a nine-run seventh inning. Torres went 1-4 with a double, two walks, two runs scored, and one RBI. He received two ovations from the Yankee Stadium crowd: before his first at-bat in the first inning, which Torres acknowledged by raising his helmet, and when the Yankees showed a tribute video on the scoreboard after the first inning. Torres watched the video from the first step of the Tigers’ dugout and saluted the crowd again.No, not really. I know it’s a business.
Gleyber Torres
It’s been almost a year since Torres last wore the Yankees uniform in a disastrous Game 5 loss to the Dodgers in the World Series. Torres, who was an All-Star in his first two seasons in the Major Leagues, was a consistent contributor but never reached those heights again in the Bronx. He reached free agency after a turbulent year with defensive issues and a strong finish at the plate as New York’s leadoff hitter.It feels incredible. I really appreciate the video, the ovation from the fans. That’s going to be a moment I’ll never forget. I feel very happy. As a player, when you do the right thing and the fans show you affection, it’s really special.
Gleyber Torres
Torres continued to highlight the focus on Detroit, where the mentality is to do what’s best for the team without feeling pressure, focusing on constantly improving. Torres received multi-year contract offers during free agency, but chose to sign a one-year, $15 million contract with Detroit, betting on his own performance to bounce back with an organization that had made a turnaround with an improbable postseason appearance in 2024. Although still below his peak performance, the change has yielded positive results. Entering Tuesday’s game, Torres, who was selected for his first All-Star team this summer since 2019, was batting .259 with 15 home runs and a .758 OPS in 128 games for the first-place Tigers, in his age-28 season. He is batting .347 with runners in scoring position and has already recorded a career-high in walks.I really loved playing in New York. That’s the city everyone wants to play in. It was never pressure. It’s just frustration in the moment because I didn’t do my job. I didn’t play well defensively. At that moment, offensively, I didn’t do the job. And, as a player, you have an ego and when things don’t go the way you want, you’re always going to feel frustration because you’re young and that’s the most important thing.
Gleyber Torres
Boone also highlighted Torres’ maturity as a hitter, recognizing his ability to control the strike zone. Torres mentioned that batting in front of Juan Soto and Aaron Judge allowed him to have more success. He learned to be patient, to take walks if necessary, and to trust his teammates. He applied this approach in Detroit, and his on-base percentage, which has increased more than 30 points since last year, demonstrates it. Torres also noted that he has benefited from the Tigers’ emphasis on aggressive base running, something that, he said, the Yankees did not demand of him. He hopes this culminates in another World Series appearance, this time in a different uniform, a year after falling short in New York.He’s a staple in their lineup and he’s a very good player. We saw that here. Especially the kind of finish he had last year, the last two months of the season and then throughout October. He’s carried that over there and he’s been very consistent for them.
Aaron Boone, Yankees manager
I really liked the fans and everything from when I played here. Fortunately, what happened last year is already in the past. I always tried to give my best for the team and for the fans. I tried to bring energy every night when I had the opportunity to play.
Gleyber Torres
