New York Post

Stanton finally hits HR vs. Fish

- By MARK W. SANCHEZ

In his 15th season, Giancarlo Stanton did what he failed to do in his previous 1,545 games: Homer against the Marlins.

The Yankees’ designated hitter smacked a sixth-inning solo shot against Miami’s Bryan Hoeing into the right-field seats, making it 30 teams he has victimized with home runs.

“It’s pretty cool,” Stanton said after the 5-2 loss to the Marlins in The Bronx. “You hear guys do it over the years and from when I was watching as a kid.”

Stanton spent his first eight seasons with Miami before the trade that sent him to the Yankees ahead of the 2018 season. It took 15 games against his former club for Stanton to find the seats and become the 15th active player to dinger against everyone, a list that includes the Dodgers’ Mookie Betts and new Met J.D. Martinez.

“I didn’t think about it — it’s obvious, but I didn’t think about it,” Stanton said about the feat.

Stanton finished 1-for-3 with a walk and now has homered three times in his past five games and four times this season.

➤ The Yankees’ three most significan­t imports this offseason came with potential personalit­y red flags.

Juan Soto was part of a Padres clubhouse that reportedly was not a strong one last season, when a team with plenty of superstars fell flat. Marcus Stroman has been known as polarizing wherever he has gone, sparring even with Brian Cashman after the Yankees GM said in 2019 Stroman wasn’t a “difference-maker” for a playoff rotation. Alex Verdugo had his battles with the Red Sox, including twice getting benched by manager Alex Cora for arriving to the park late and then a lack of hustle.

After a full spring training and about two weeks of the season, the three have been welcome additions to a Yankees clubhouse that might have more edge and definitely has more energy.

“I’m always a believer — 162 games in 180 days, stretch that out even further over spring training — it’s a grind,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I want guys that are energy givers, not energy suckers, in that room.

“I think all the [three] guys … have brought an energy that on certain days is a little shot in the arm.”

➤ DJ LeMahieu (right foot contusion) took batting practice outside and took ground balls at third base. Boone said LeMahieu is expected to go on the upcoming road trip (to Cleveland and Toronto) with the team, a positive sign.

“He continues to do well,” said Boone, who did not divulge a timetable.

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