Erik Kratz, a 40-year-old journeyman who has spent time in nearly half of MLB’s 30 organizations, has already made a tangible impact in his second stint with the Yankees, emerging as a veteran mentor for the Bombers. Speaking with reporters on Zoom prior to Friday’s doubleheader in Baltimore, the backup catcher got choked up discussing his role in taking younger teammates, including many of Latin origin, under his wing.
“I love seeing what they can do,” said Kratz, fighting back tears in response to a question posed by ESPN’s Marly Rivera. “Some people forget where they come from. Some people forget that they want it just as badly and there’s people at home that want it just as badly for them.”
“They’re not around their family,” Kratz continued, noting the countless sacrifices Latino players make hoping to provide better lives for their families back home in impoverished countries like Cuba and the Dominican Republic. “Being older, hopefully I can be somebody that can step in and help that relationship.”
While Kratz has never been an All-Star-caliber talent, or even a consistent starter at the major-league level, his leadership qualities make him a valued locker-room presence. It’s been a struggle for the injury-ravaged Yankees, who find themselves 5.5 games back of division-leader Tampa Bay in the American League East. But Kratz has certainly done his part, hitting a surprising .348 in limited at-bats—well above his lifetime .209 mark—while providing his usual stellar defense in the few instances he’s spelled Gary Sanchez behind the plate (eight starts).
“My Spanish isn’t that great, but I try and I want it be good,” said Kratz, who continues to improve his Spanish in hopes of better connecting with his Latin teammates. “I got kids too and I hope somebody would treat my kids that way.”
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