New York Yankees Nick Martinez’s full-circle Bronx return comes with a ‘driven’ mindset that got him to big leagues By Dan Martin Published Oct. 6, 2026, 7:17 p.m. ET Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Nick Martinez (28) throws a pitch during the fourth inning when the New York Yankees played the Tampa Bay Rays in game one of their split doubleheader Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY. Robert Sabo for NY Post If the Yankees are going to extend their season beyond Wednesday, they’ll have to figure out a way to beat a right-hander who has plenty of experience playing in The Bronx.
The Rays are set to start Fordham product Nick Martinez in Game 3, looking to knock the Yankees out of the ALDS.
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Martinez, who played at Fordham from 2009-11, is very familiar with the setting.
“Whenever we had a day off and they were playing at home, we’d come over, catch a train and watch a game at Yankee Stadium,’’ Martinez said Tuesday. “And we’d be in the bleachers — my roommate or a couple buddies — and I would just watch them and say, ‘Man, obviously playing here would be pretty badass.’”
