Yankees, torpedo bats make history by living "Bronx Bombers" nickname to the fullest

The Yankees have caused quite the debate around these new torpedo bats they introduced during opening weekend. The bat has more wood and mass at the barrel of the bat, giving it the torpedo shape. Whether it is truly effective or not will remain a raging debate throughout the season, but regardless, the Yankees sure lit up the scoreboard versus the Milwaukee Brewers.

On Opening Day, Austin Wells made Yankee history by being the first catcher in the team's 123-year history to bat in the leadoff spot in the batting order. He hit a home run over the right field fence in the at-bat, becoming the first catcher in MLB history (since 1900) to hit a leadoff home run on Opening Day. The 25-year-old is also the first Yankee to hit a leadoff Opening Day home run.

Since 1901, Wells was the fifth catcher to bat leadoff in an Opening Day lineup. He joined Austin Nola (2022 Padres), Jason Kendall (2007 Athletics, 1999 and 2000 Pirates), Butch Wynegar (1977 Twins), and Roger Breshan (1906 Giants).

Yankees hitters and new bats proving to be unstoppable combo

How could the Yankees start a game better than a leadoff home run? Well, they showed us how in the second game of the season. They started the game by going back-back-back on three straight pitches. What a way to welcome Nestor Cortes, who was part of the trade to acquire Devin Williams, back to town.

Paul Goldschmidt, who led off for the first time in his 15-year career, hit the first home run, followed by Cody Bellinger and Aaron Judge, who hit three home runs in the game, including a grand slam. The home runs on three straight pitches was the first occurrence since pitch counts began in 1988.

Austin Wells added another first-inning home run three batters later to take an early 4-0 lead after the top half of the first inning. This was the first time in Yankee history that they hit four home runs in the first inning.

The Yankees would then set a franchise record with nine home runs in a game. Along with homers from Goldschmidt, Bellinger, Judge (3), and Wells, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Anthony Volpe, and Oswald Peraza contributed to the record-breaking day.

Eleven home runs in two games. There is no way it could get any better, right? Well, on Sunday, the Yankees tied another historic MLB record. Judged hit his fourth homer on the season, Chisholm Jr. hit two in the game, bringing his total to three on the season, and Ben Rice hit a home run in his second start in three games.

Their 15 home runs in the first three games of the season ties the record for most home runs hit by a team in that span. The only other team to do this was the 2006 Detroit Tigers, who won the American League pennant that year. Perhaps a repeat is on tap for New York in 2025?

There is not enough research to say if their torpedo bats help that much, but the wind helped a few of those home runs sneak over the short porch in right. Both Wells and Volpe's home runs Thursday barely cleared the fence, and even Joe Buck, who was on the call for the ESPN broadcast, called Volpe's hit "here's a pop fly to right that will... carry and go."

One thing is for sure: the early fireworks from the Yankee hitters have fans excited for what could be a season-long showcase. Oh, and their new bats may be the story of the 2025 campaign.

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