“You know the standard,” Max Fried UNAFRAID of Yankees spotlight as pinstripes awaken ‘sense of pride’ in ace pitcher

Max Fried talks about why he signed with the Yankees and what it feels like to be part of the franchise’s legacy.

“You know the standard,” Max Fried UNAFRAID of Yankees spotlight as pinstripes awaken ‘sense of pride’ in ace pitcher

Max Fried [Image Credit: X]

Ace pitcher Max Fried during his introductory press conference as a New York Yankees spoke on the reason why he chose the team. He said he was surprised to see them interested in adding him to their lineup and was excited to pitch in the Yankees spotlight.

Having a legacy of decades, many players get overwhelmed after coming to the Bronx, but not Max Fried. Instead of getting overwhelmed he “kind of feed off of that” energy.

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He’ll be donning No.54 for the NY Yankees during the 2025 season run and more. Fried wanted a long-term deal after his stint with the Atlanta Braves. He got his wish fulfilled in terms of $218 million 8-year contract with the Yankees.

He said, “when the Yankees say they’re interested in you, you perk up and listen.” Another factor in convincing Fried to join the Bronx was their competitiveness. 

He spoke about how he loved being in a competitive environment, especially with a team that had the World Series in mind. This year the pinstripes went to the Fall Classic only to fall short in five games to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Winning is a big priority for me. At the end of the day, every single year the Yankees come to spring training, the No. 1 goal is to win the World Series. It’s not to get to the playoffs, it’s not to do anything but hold up the trophy at the end of the year. Knowing that I was going to make potentially a long commitment, I wanted to be in a place that I knew I was going to be able to win year in and year out.

Max Fried as per Alex Smith of SNY.tv.

Max Fried is excited to be part of the team and contribute to their 2025 run. Furthermore, he was always impressed with the “standard that the Yankees hold,” and how putting on the pinstripes awakens a “sense of pride” in a baseballer.

Yankees officially welcome Max Fried to the Bronx

It’s not only Max Fried who is impressed with the Yankees’ legacy, but also manager Aaron Boone who is heavily invested in the pitcher. Boone echoed the same winning sentiment, acknowledging Fried as, “one of the game’s elite pitchers.”

Max Fried
Max Fried [Image Credit: Battery Power]

Over the last five years, Fried has recorded 54-25 with a 2.81 ERA. With him in the mix, the current Yankees lineup consists of Gerrit Cole, Clarke Schmidt, Carlos Rodon, and Luis Gil.

Fried said that the Yankees clubhouse’s three words – prepare, compete, win resonated with him. It’s his ultimate goal to compete and win and the organization’s aim aligns perfectly. Max Fried will report to the Spring Training camp in Tampa where he’ll officially start his journey as a NY Yankees.