So, about those handwarmers some Yankees are wearing in cold weather . . .
Isiah Kiner-Falefa #12 of the New York Yankees tags out Jorge Mateo #3 of the Baltimore Orioles during a stolen base attempt in the third inning at Yankee Stadium on April 27, 2022. Credit: Getty Images/Mike Stobe
Did you notice Yankees players wearing handwarmers around their waists like NFL quarterbacks during ridiculously cold games in Detroit and in the Bronx over the past 10 days?
Shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who sported a handwarmer on Wednesday on a frigid, windy night at Yankee Stadium, said: “We’re starting a trend in baseball, maybe.”
The normal trend is for quarterbacks and baseball players to wear the handwarmers — cloth things that look like fanny packs — on the front of their waists. But Kiner-Falefa wore his strapped to the top of his backside.
“I didn’t feel comfortable leaving it in the front,” said Kiner-Falefa, who added that he was offered a similar handwarmer last season when he played for the Rangers. He declined.
“I was too worried about looking cool,” he said. “Now, I’m like, ‘I don’t care. I’ll do whatever it takes to stay warm.' The wind, the cold, it’s something I’m not used to, especially being from Hawaii. Having that there just gives me peace of mind and comfort. As long as I can keep my hands warm and my arm warm, I’m good to go.”
Kiner-Falefa said the handwarmer did not impede his movements on defense. He, Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu executed a pickoff rundown play in the third inning, all with the handwarmers flopping around their waists or backsides as they chased down the runner.
LeMahieu, who wore his on his backside, too, earlier made a diving play at third base and ended up with the handwarmer on his left hip. Torres, who was bundled up from head to toe, wore his in the front, as did leftfielder Joey Gallo.
Hicks to return?
Aaron Boone said he is "all but" certain Aaron Hicks, who missed the Orioles series while on paternity leave, will rejoin the team on Friday in Kansas City.
Anthony Rieber covers sports media and business and professional sports (you know, games and trades and things). He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since Jan. 1, 2026.
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