Clarke Schmidt’s father, Dwight, is a former Marine pilot and now a commercial pilot, and got the thrill of a lifetime by getting to fly the Yankees’ family and friends plane to Los Angeles for the World Series.
“It was a special moment for him, and a lot of the guys, they loved it. The staff members, they had a really great time to be able to see some things they don't really get to see,” Schmidt said Saturday night. “My dad’s really into aviation and explaining it to everyone. He's not afraid to talk about it. It's good. Everybody feels like the pilot's a little bit more personally invested into the flight, so they feel a little safer.”
Dwight is flying the same plane back on Sunday, and Clarke will be on another plane with his Yankees teammates, having stuck around in LA for Game 2 instead of flying back ahead of time to be ready for his Game 3 start.
That plane ride was likely quiet, as the Yankees are down 2-0 heading into their first home game of the series – but it’s not about having to win four out of five, it’s about going 1-0 on Monday and going from there.
“It’s unspoken; I think we understand that these series are potentially seven games. Obviously every game matters, but once the night ends, it’s like we're on to the next game,” Schmidt said. “We understand that you've got to be able to compartmentalize games and move on. We know that this is going to be a long series. They obviously got the first punch in, but we understood this was going to be a tall task and not just come in here and expect to win every single game.”
Perhaps, all it will take to get the Yankees on track is a little home cooking, and the first World Series game in the Bronx since the clinching Game 6 in 2009.
“I think being able to use the adrenaline and kind of like the butterflies and the excitement, it can take you to another level,” Schmidt said. “This has been a great playoffs for all the teams and a lot of high level games being played. And I think that's credit to hyperfocus. When you're in these situations and you're playing in these atmospheres, it just can take your game to another level if you let it. It can work on the other side as well if you let it get to you, but I try to use it as a benefit and kind of try to take the adrenaline and everything that comes with it and bring my game to another level.”
It'll be an atmosphere like he’s never experienced, but Schmidt is ready, and will worry about the magnitude of the moment later.
“It’s obviously a dream come true being able to pitch the first game at home in a pivotal game. I've always dreamed of stuff like this, but it's just been better than my dreams so far. Everything has kind of blown it out of the water, expectations and stuff like that,” Schmidt said. “I'm obviously very excited to get out there, but I know I have a job to do. We're trying to win this World Series. I'm just trying to go out there and execute and do my job, be as present as I possibly can. There will probably be time for reflection when this is all over, but right now just very focused on my job.”