New York Yankees Double-A team loses everything in floods
The remnants of Hurricane Ida battered the northeast earlier this week. There were numerous pictures of the extensive flooding, including images of the outfield in Yankee Stadium being entirely underwater. Yet that was relatively minor compared to the images of TD Bank Ballpark, home of the New York Yankees‘ Double-A team, the Somerset Patriots.
Fortunately for the players, they were on a road trip during the storm. However, they still felt the effects, as their vehicles and belongings were still in Bridgewater, New Jersey. As outfielder Isiah Gilliam noted, the players on the team lost everything.
We lost everything. Prayers go out to everyone in the city https://t.co/L1xAFrexzP
— Isiah Gilliam (@isiah_gilliam24) September 2, 2021
New York Yankees minor leaguer details devastation from flooding
When Gilliam said that the players and coaches lost everything, he did not mean their equipment. He meant everything – their vehicles and clothes have all been destroyed. As Gilliam said, the players and coaches pack lightly for a road trip, meaning that most of their possessions were left behind.
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Considering the low pay that minor leaguers receive, this type of loss could be devasting. Gilliam himself was a 20th round draft pick in the 2015 MLB Draft, and likely did not receive much in the way of a signing bonus. While some players may be able to replace their belongings without issue, others may not have that same luxury.
In theory, the Yankees can make this right without a second thought. They could provide new vehicles and clothing for their players, that money a drop in the bucket to their money making machine. Major League Baseball had taken over the minor leagues to provide better conditions and more pay after all. At least that was their justification.
If ever there was a time for the league to put their money where their mouth is, this is it. This is the moment where they can prove that they had a valid reason for their actions regarding the minors. Otherwise, it will further the belief that this was nothing more than a cash grab by the owners.
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Members of the New York Yankees Double-A team lost everything in the flooding from Hurricane Ida. The league can minimize this impact.