 How does it feel to be back on the field because you know I mentioned this the other day We were doing the game me Paula Neal and Tina Martinez that when it's taken away from you I mean if you get to this point, this is not just your job. You love playing baseball How difficult it has it been not to play baseball? Well, it's real difficult. I mean it's been a year and a half last time on a big league field I remember getting carried off with a fractured ankle You know, and then I had a surgery before the season last year on both my feet and You know to come here get a chance even to play in spring training games It's been nice for me to be back out there have my son watch me There's a lot of things that went into it a lot of hard work So I'm glad to be part of it ever enter your mind that it could have been over No, just because I'm not that type. I wasn't gonna let that you know me being carried off the field I wasn't gonna let that be my life Too much too much love for the game Too much passion and I was gonna find a way to make it back out there Now why the Yankees obviously a lot of teams looked at you a lot of teams were impressed with the way you looked in private workouts Why'd you take the Yankees? There's multiple reasons You know, but to start with you know, it's one of the best teams in the game You know, I feel like I have a good chance to win a ring. I've been close numerous times, but you know We hadn't came through so I think this is this team has as good a chance as anybody. So that's that's the starter Obviously, everybody knows that I'm a big fan of Derek and what he did and how he played War number two because of that. So, you know, the Yankees and Derek always had a special place in my heart So to get a chance to play, you know, we're my idol plate is definitely meant something to me So, you know, there's just the franchise itself They're about winning. It's what I've tried to do my entire career is just focus on that and That's really, you know What they what they pre-stain and day out. I think it's a good spot for me I'm sure you're just taking it day by day But have you just thought about how things will be once DD comes back? I Really haven't to be honest, but You know, if you do ask that question, hey, I look at it like this or things things usually take care of themselves I know if I'm going out there and I'm being the player that I can be You know that I think there'll be a place for me now. He's a great player. He's in the prize. He's in his prime He's someone that I've seen a girl since the days Really in Arizona. So I know he's a huge part of the team And I look at it like if I could if I can do my thing and help us win game The D comes back. It just makes us, you know that much stronger of a team and you know, I'm looking forward to his return I know that might sound crazy to a lot of people, but honestly There's no ego here and I just want to win Tell me about rust. Is that been a factor? You obviously your first game you played We had it on yes and you hit the home run and you were pretty pumped up about that and it slowed down a little bit Is Russ played a role at all? I Mean games are even when you're on top of your game you go through strings for you know You feel like you're never gonna get a hit again But for me like you said I got through a hot start and then I struggled a little bit Last couple games, I felt really good at the plate and In clear water against the Phillies I had another home run I thought had some good a bees there So it's baseball. It's never gonna be easy. So I think the reps are Just getting the reps in this last week here in spring training gonna be important for me But I'll be ready to go. There are things that sometimes confuse me Troy Cuz I'm not the brightest guy in the world anyway But when when you played the game in Dunedin and the Blue Jay fans are booing you You know, I sit back and go. What did they expect him to just walk away when the Blue Jays let him go? I mean you wanted to play baseball. So you're playing baseball with the A's. Did you understand the booing? I Heard some cheers and some booze to be honest a lot of the booze that I had that I heard I don't think they understood Maybe the situation and how everything played out. So it's just maybe some fans that Just come to a ballpark and kind of want to boo and don't really know the whole the whole story But hey, that's part of being a professional baseball player You get a good laugh at it and then you try to you know beat the other team across from you What I thought was really cool when you hit the home running as the Blue Jays at Steinborn a field You didn't hide the fact that it meant something to you. I mean that's an organization Troy They just gave up I mean that they're paying all this money and they said, okay We don't want you here anymore and that meant something to you and you didn't even try to hide it I mean was there ever any thought about hiding the excitement that you had? You know, you said it perfectly I put a lot of work into my rehab I feel like I can still be a good player in this game and they kind of just gave up on me You know caught me by surprise a little bit, but things work out, you know things work out, and I think I'm in a good place now and You know, hopefully it ends up working out for me One of your former teammates got big money from Colorado to stay and that's Nolan Aronado You had a chance to play alongside him. We just what kind of player is he? Nolan's a great friend first someone that you know when he was young I got to work with him a lot and What a what a work ethic. He's turned himself into a great player and I'm happy for him. I talked to him on it, you know weekly basis and You know, they signed it signed a good player a good person and someone that is gonna give you everything he has What were your thoughts on the trout contract? I'm deserving Obviously what he's done for the game of baseball the numbers that he puts up on a yearly basis it really is, you know hands down the best player in the game and You know for him, I probably meant something to be in one place for his entire career and You know, Mike's role model You know, I think the closest player to him honestly was to look Derek and then the way they do things they don't get caught up in anything but You know doing the right thing. All right injuries kind of piling up Troy We just heard about Tyler Wade leaving the game because of hip issues Is there any concern in that room that some of these injuries are a bit of a problem spilling into opening day? Now we're deep I think you know when you asked me about the DD thing like I said things happen Sometimes things happen and you can't control so I think one thing that cashmen Has done with this team is I think we're deep and in every aspect, you know and builders outfielders pitchers The guys do happen to go down. We've got enough to hold it over So I think if any team can take on some of the injuries if they've been handed to me, it's definitely us Talk with Troy to the whiskey the Yankee shortstop And you know you've told the story before Troy that you know one of the reason why to come back is that your son Did not remember you playing I believe he's five years old now Well, he's watching you play in spring training as he talked to you about it What does what does it mean to him to see you on the field? Oh, man? He's He's nuts when I get home, you know, he's announcing the whole line up He's judge and Stanton and all these guys every single day. So he's having a blast and it puts a smile on my face That's what it's about You know, I can't wait to get the season started and just the excitement that he has for for the game of baseball I remember being young myself and going to games and man, you look at it at a big leader and you know those guys It's kind of surreal but for him to be in a big league locker room at times and get a chance to meet these guys He just he just looks at them like they're they're his friends. It's it's cool to see Before we let you go Not to get too dramatic, but have you played it over in your head Troy? Next Thursday March 28th You're standing there in the home white pinstripes at Yankee Stadium at shortstop. Have you thought about how you'll feel? Something I'll never forget. There's no doubt about that But in my career, you know, some of those moments whether it be all-star games or World Series games, whatever it may be you kind of just Sit back you look around and try to you know, take it in so that's one thing I will do on opening day It's kind of taking you know everything, but I'll tell you what I'll be ready to win games on a daily basis and I can't wait to be a part of it Troy, thanks for coming out. We appreciate it. All right. Thanks for having me guys