The New York Yankees called up George Lombard Jr. in early August, affording him enough time to work through growing pains and get comfortable with occupying a high-profile role in one of sports' most scrutinized franchises. They made that decision because the 21-year-old shortstop stood out as a potential playoffs difference-maker. He is proving them right in his first postseason game.
Lombard notched a single in the bottom of the second inning and wound up scoring the first run of Tuesday's American League Wild Card matchup versus the Boston Red Sox. He becomes the youngest Yankees player to record a hit in his first playoff plate appearance, per the MLB Network X account. He ends Jesus Montero's record, which lasted for nearly 15 years. This is what the people wanted. A rookie seizing the moment versus New York's most hated rival.
Article Continues BelowGeorge Lombard Jr. (21y-119d) is the youngest Yankee to record a base hit in his first career Postseason plate appearance; the previous recordholder was Jesus Montero (21y-310d) in 2011 ALDS Game 4.
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— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) September 30, 2026