Yankee Stadium, New York, August 24, 2025
News Summary
A squirrel unexpectedly ran onto the field during the Yankees vs. Red Sox game, causing a brief interruption in the fourth inning. The animal explored the infield and interacted with players, leading to cheers from the crowd before the game resumed shortly after. The Red Sox ultimately won the match 1-0. This peculiar incident adds to the historical context of animal interruptions at Yankee Stadium.
New YorkSquirrel Causes Brief Delay During Yankees vs. Red Sox Game at Yankee Stadium
A squirrel ran onto the field at Yankee Stadium during the fourth inning of the New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox game on August 22, 2025, causing a short interruption before play resumed. The animal moved around the infield, briefly pausing near players, exploring the pitcher’s mound and drawing cheers from the crowd. The game continued after a few minutes, and the Red Sox won 1-0.
What happened
The incident began in the fourth inning when a squirrel emerged from behind home plate and stopped near the foot of Boston rookie Jhostynxon Garcia while he was adjusting his batting gloves. The animal moved along the third-base foul line and then headed toward the pitcher’s mound. New York pitcher Max Fried noticed the squirrel attempting to dig on the mound, after which it ran past first baseman Ben Rice and went by first base umpire Carlos Torres down the right-field line. Play was paused briefly and then resumed; Fried issued a walk to Garcia on a pitch that went to the backstop.
Immediate aftermath and player reactions
The squirrel’s presence drew audible reactions from fans as it explored the field. Players exhibited a range of responses: some kept their distance, one player declined to approach the animal citing uncertainty about where it had been, and another urged composure as the squirrel scurried toward the mound. The Red Sox manager responded with lighthearted remarks in the dugout, noting the incident’s potential for souvenir-themed merchandise, and team members treated the event as an unusual but harmless interruption. The squirrel eventually left the playing surface through the stadium scoreboard.
Game result
After the brief delay, the game continued without further incident. The Boston Red Sox secured a 1-0 victory over the New York Yankees.
Historical context
Animals have interrupted games at Yankee Stadium in prior years. A squirrel previously delayed a game between the Orioles and Yankees on May 23, 2023. In August 2021, a cat also caused a stoppage during another Yankees game against the Orioles. Those earlier incidents similarly involved brief pauses while stadium staff and players awaited the animal leaving the field.
Why the delay was brief
Officials allowed play to pause only as long as necessary to ensure player safety and to avoid interference with game operations. The animal’s movement around the infield and departure through the scoreboard meant no formal removal was required by field crews, allowing normal play to resume quickly.
Key details at a glance
- Date: August 22, 2025
- Location: Yankee Stadium, New York
- Inning: Fourth
- Main players involved: Jhostynxon Garcia (Boston), Max Fried (New York), Ben Rice (New York)
- Game result: Red Sox 1, Yankees 0
- Outcome of delay: Brief interruption; play resumed after the squirrel left the field
FAQ
How did the squirrel get onto the field?
The squirrel entered the playing area from behind home plate and moved across the infield, likely taking advantage of open access points near the stands and scoreboard.
How long did the delay last?
The delay was brief, lasting only a few minutes while players and officials monitored the animal until it left the field through the scoreboard.
Did the squirrel affect the game outcome?
No direct evidence indicates the animal changed the final result; the game resumed promptly and concluded with a 1-0 score in favor of the Red Sox.
Were any players or officials injured?
No injuries were reported. Players maintained distance and officials allowed play to continue once the animal left the field.
Has this happened at Yankee Stadium before?
Yes. A squirrel caused a delay on May 23, 2023, and a cat delayed play in August 2021 during other Yankees games.
Quick reference table
| Date | Venue | Inning | Delay description | Players/Officials Involved | Final Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 22, 2025 | Yankee Stadium (New York) | Fourth | Squirrel ran across infield, paused near batter, explored mound, exited via scoreboard | Jhostynxon Garcia, Max Fried, Ben Rice, Umpire Carlos Torres | Red Sox 1, Yankees 0 |
| May 23, 2023 | Yankee Stadium (New York) | Earlier in game | Squirrel delayed play in a separate game between Orioles and Yankees | Noted in records as a previous animal interruption | — |
| August 2021 | Yankee Stadium (New York) | During game | Cat entered field and delayed play | Game crews and officials managed removal | — |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- MLB: A Squirrel Takes the Field at Yankee Stadium
- OutKick: Bronx Squirrel Steals Show at Yankee Stadium
- NY Daily News: Squirrel on the Field During Yankees vs. Red Sox
- USA Today: Yankees vs. Red Sox Interrupted by Squirrel
- Wikipedia: Squirrel
- HuffPost: Squirrel Causes Delay During Yankees Game
- NY Post: Squirrel Interrupts Yankees vs. Red Sox Game
- Newsday: Yankees Game Interruptions by Squirrel
- Google Search: Yankees Squirrel Incident
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
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