SF Giants news: Carl Yastrzemski says joining SFG was the best thing for grandson, Mike

San Francisco Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski, like many of us, has a doting grandparent. His just happens to be Hall of Fame outfielder Carl Yastrzemski, best known for earning the Triple Crown in 1967.

The senior “Yaz” appeared on 95.7 The Game in San Francisco recently to talk about how fortunate it’s been for his grandson to join the Giants roster.

“I would have to say that going to San Francisco probably was the greatest thing that ever happened to him,” Carl Yastrzemski said. “I think it changed his whole outlook, gave him a lot of confidence that he loved the organization, and when you love where you’re playing, that has a lot to do with it. ”

Mike Yastrzemski has started off the shortened season blistering hot, hitting .423 with two home runs, a .531 on-base percentage and slugging .808 for an OPS of 1.339.

He splashed one of those hits into McCarty Cove for a walk-off 7-6 victory over the Padres on Wednesday.

“I think [Wednesday] was an important moment in Yaz’s career,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said, via SFGate. “To hang in there against a tough lefty late in the game, also get that ball up in the air to the pull side which is a real skill — he just looks like a great all-around player right now. It’s starting to seem like this is who Yaz is.”

Grandpa “Yaz” chalks up his grandson’s success to his comfort level with the Giants, including with manager Gabe Kapler and his staff.

“He’s very comfortable with the managers and coaches he has,” Carl Yastrzemski said. “I think that’s a big thing… I remember Lee Stange with the Red Sox, and when he threw batting practice I would always ask him questions.”

Carl was a member of the Boston Red Sox American League championship team of 1967, earning the MVP that year while leading the league in average (.326), home runs (44), and RBI (121).

That’s a lot to live up to, but Mike’s arguably doing pretty well for himself even if he’s a bit of a late bloomer.

A few years after being taken out of Vanderbilt in the 14th round of the 2013 draft by the Giants, Mike made his major league debut in 2019. He hit .272/.334/.518 across 107 games, good for an OPS+ of 123.