The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHEN Antoan Richardson had the opportunity last month to play in the Major Leagues for the second time in his career little did he think he would play a pivotal role in one of the defining games of the 2014 baseball season.

This time, with the New York Yankees, Richardson ensured a fairytale ending to the final game in the Bronx for legendary team captain Derek Jeter by scoring the winning run as a pinch hitter.

Richardson, who will celebrate his 31st birthday tomorrow, is back home in the Bahamas after the Yankees narrowly failed to make it to the playoffs. Over the weekend, he gave an extensive interview to The Tribune, and today, in the

first of a two-part series, he talks about about an unforgettable and emotional night at Yankee Stadium.

Richardson was first called up by the Atlanta Braves in September 2011 and then by the Yankees on September 2. His big moment came three weeks later against the Baltimore Orioles.

The Tribune: How did your return to the Major League work out?

Richardson: If I’m not mistaken, I got to pinch run for Jeter and I didn’t end up scoring. I think we ended up losing the game. But it was good to get my feet wet in Yankee Stadium. It seemed like the lights are a little brighter and the people are a lot louder, so it was good to get my feet wet.

Then I got a chance to help the Yankees win our first game against Baltimore, so it was good to finally get the breakthrough again after dibbling and drabbing in the minor league for so long in between. Plus, during that time, I lost my grandmother about a month and a half before I got the call up to the majors. So it was a gratifying feeling and it felt so surreal during that time.”

The Tribune: You came in at a time when all of the buzz was around Jeter and his career-ending season. What was it like to have been a part of it, especially at the most crucial point, in the final game in the Bronx?

Richardson: We are still kind of baffled about what happened and it literally was a fairytale because it was the last page in his book and he had his script in his hand. But from the beginning of the game, they had this big collage on the screen with the fans thanking him. So it was very emotional.

I know I got teary-eyed and the other players got teary-eyed. I know Jeter was emotional the whole game and the fans were even emotional for the whole game. A lot of fans stayed in the stands after the game. It was a really electric atmosphere and something that I was never a part of.

I remember CC Sabathia saying that it felt as if it was a playoff game. So it felt kind of cool. And then it came to the end where Jeter had a chance to win the game in his last at bat in Yankee Stadium. I don’t think you could write a better script and the fact that he came through with the winning hit and I ended up scoring the winning run was just fulfilling.

The Tribune: Were you surprised that you got the call from manager Joe Girardi to pinch run in that position?

Richardson: As soon as we tied the game (5-5) in the ninth inning, I went to get warmed up because I knew the opportunity might come up. Jose (Pirela) is a great runner, but I wasn’t sure what they were going to do. I was just making sure that I was prepared in case they called my name.

The Tribune: You are on base with Jeter up to bat. What was it like at that point?

Richardson: After I got bunted over to second base, the crowd was just blowing the roof off the stadium, if they had a roof. That was just how loud it was in the stadium. I think everybody in that stadium, and maybe even the opposing team, knew that he was going to come through.

I was sitting on second base and I just knew that he was going to get a hit. I just didn’t know if he was going to hit a home run and it turned out to be more dramatic or if he was just going to get a base hit to right field as he’s done so many times in his career. I was anticipating it. And as soon as he hit the ball, I just put my head down and I took off. I hit third base and I wasn’t sure if the coach was going to send me or not because it was a hard hit ball.

I knew if he did, it was going to be a close play at the plate. I didn’t hit third the way I should have, so I was really nervous and when he sent me, I went in head first at home, which I normally never do because you want to risk any injury. But all of that went out of the window when I was halfway home, knowing the importance of the victory. So it was important for me to succeed for him and for the team as well.

The Tribune: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything?

Richardson: What I would change is us winning a few more games and I wouldn’t be here with you doing this interview right now because we would still be playing some more baseball. But other than that, I think everything happens for a reason and I really appreciate the opportunity. I wouldn’t change anything because I think it happened the way it was supposed to happen.”

The Tribune: With that said, how would you put your short stint with the Yankees in prospective?

Richardson: I look at it as a success. I think the job that I was given was a rewarding one. They asked me to start a couple of games and I think I did my job. They asked me to pinch run a couple of times and I think I did my job. I played the outfield and I think I did my job. I think I did exactly what they wanted me to do, so I think it was a success in the sense that I did my job. I did my part.

In the end, even though we didn’t get to make the playoffs, it was kind of bitter-sweet in that sense because I really would have liked to be in New York taking the field today to play another game. But I deem it a success and I’m happy with the way everything happened.

The Tribune: Jeter’s career is over and so is your season. Have the Yankees given you any indication of what to expect for the future?

Richardson: I haven’t really spoken to them about next year, but I know everybody told me ‘job well done and we will be in contact,’ so either way I’m going to get ready for next season. Trust me. I will do what I always do to get prepared for whatever. If they have me back for next year, I will be ready. For some reason, if I don’t go back, I will be ready for wherever they send me.

Tomorrow: in part two Richardson shares more of his personal perspectives