Bronx fans flock to Yankee Stadium for fresh gear ahead of team’s return to MLB’s World Series

New York Yankees fans’ moods matched the sunny weather Sunday after their team beat the Cleveland Guardians 5-2 in extra innings the night before, sending them to their 41st World Series.

Juan Soto blasted a three-run homer with two outs in the 10th inning to seal the victory, winning game five of the American League Championship Series and securing the pennant for his team. The Bombers will now chase their 28th championship title when the series kicks off on Friday.

The last time the Yankees made the World Series was during the inaugural year of their new stadium in 2009. The area has changed significantly since then, but Westchester resident Estefania Rangel said the fans have stayed just as passionate.

“Feeling honestly ecstatic about it — it’s been 15 years, which is basically half my life,” she said. “The old stadium was definitely, in my opinion, more fan friendly, this one has suites and everything like that… I think it’s different stadiums, same experience, same fans.”

Standing outside the stadium on Sunday, Yanks fan Christopher Infante said the victory brought back celebratory memories of the last time the team won a World Series in 2009.

“I almost passed out after Soto hit the home run. Head rush, I got the head rush. But it’s an amazing feeling,” he said. “I remember in ’09 right after we won I did a little champagne splashing outside my apartment. Then we came down here, to 161 —- it was amazing.”

Angella Pielego was also enjoying the celebratory atmosphere outside the stadium on Sunday on her way to check out a discounted merchandise sale inside.

“It’s the Bronx – we’re the heart of the city, like, we’re the toughest, and the Yankees equate and show how tough we are,” she said. “I like that there’s soul here, and super diverse. Everyone comes from everywhere to come here and watch them win.”

With ticket prices for World Series games at Yankee Stadium already approaching $900 as of Sunday, Pielego said she would be watching the Bombers from a bar around the corner. She said she hoped to see the rival New York Mets advance to the World Series too, “so that it’ll be a Subway Series.”

The Mets were clinging to hope on Sunday as they geared up to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in game six of their best-of-seven series. As of Sunday, the Dodgers were leading the Mets three games to two.

Joe Zamora was also visiting Yankee Stadium’s merch shop on Sunday. He said he was hoping to see the Bombers face the Dodgers and their superstar designated hitter Shohei Ohtani.

“This job’s not done, we’re about to finish it up — we’re just waiting for who’s on the other side of the play,” he said. “I definitely want to see Shohei.”