Add The New York Post on Google Luis García Jr. was born and bred in New York and grew up rooting for the Yankees.
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Even after he moved to the Dominican Republic as a child, he wore No. 2 in homage to Derek Jeter.
So for García, walking into the Stadium on Monday and donning the pinstripes he always dreamed of playing in just hit a little different.
“I’m so fortunate for this opportunity,” García said through an interpreter before the Bombers opened their homestand against the Cardinals. “A lot of people know that I was born here in New York, and that I spent a big chunk of my life here in New York. So, to be part of this team, and walking in, very fortunate.
“Definitely grew up a Yankee fan. I left to the DR when I was 8 years old. So, growing up, my favorite players were Jeter and Cano, Robbie Cano, and it’s one of the reasons why I wear [No.] 2.”
Luis García Jr. is pictured before the Yankees’ Aug. 3 game against the Cardinals. Jason Szenes for the NY Post With Jeter’s No. 2 retired, García had to settle for No. 26 as he started at first base and hit third in the order.
But García was happy to don the pinstripes of his childhood team, no matter what number or position or spot in the lineup.
“It means so much to me. I was born here, so to be able to play for this team, as players, I think everybody wants an opportunity to wear this jersey, these pinstripes,” García said. “To be able to play in front of my family, it means a lot. I have a lot of family members here in the city, so to be able to do that is going to be cool.”
The Bombers will hope García’s lefty bat can add a needed jolt to their lineup.
García entered Monday having hit .283 with 23 homers and 76 RBIs, the latter two stats both career highs.
He was third in the majors (and first in the NL) in slugging percentage, and the Yankees are convinced there’s even more offense to unlock.
“We have Luis García in here who’s been a wrecking ball in the National League this year, leading that league and slugging, becomes an instant presence in our lineup,” Aaron Boone said. “Obviously we’ve had our struggles offensively for a good stretch now, and we think he helps that a lot.”
That’s largely because of that short porch in right and García’s newfound penchant for pulling the ball.
While García was batting a more modest .218 with a .627 OPS in just 55 at-bats against lefties, he’d raked righties to the tune of .295 with 20 homers and a .918 OPS.
New York Yankees first baseman Luis García Jr. takes fielding before the start of the team’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, August 3, 2026, at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. Jason Szenes for the NY Post His new power-hitting approach has clearly worked.
“It has been one of the keys to how this season has played out so far,” García said. “Before I used to hit the ball very well, but a lot of times, it was on the ground. So the focus was to get the ball in the air, to keep hitting it with the same intensity but lift it up. Better results have come.”
The Yankees will look to cash in on those results the rest of the way.
They entered Monday having scored just seven runs in their past four games and 35 in their past 12.
They hope García can take advantage of the short porch.
“Yeah, as good a year as he’s having — leading the league in slugging percentage over there — we think there’s even more in there potentially in our ballpark,” Boone said. “So it’s exciting. We needed to inject a presence in our order, and we’ve done that in a big way.”
While García is capable of playing elsewhere in the infield, expect him to play either first or just DH as he settles in.
Ben Rice was at DH on Monday, while Boone said Paul Goldschmidt will still get time at first against lefties.
“Expect [García] to be [at first], some DH,” Boone said. “I know he’s played some second in the past, he works everywhere most days, so he’s taking ground balls to get that flexibility. First and foremost, just these first couple days, want him to get settled with his routine and comfortable. We’ll see if that role evolves much.”
