Curtis Pride: The Yankees One Hit Wonder

Curtis Pride signed a contract with the New York Yankees in May of 2003 after spending the first part of the season with the Nashua Pride in the independent Atlantic League. Pride spent over a month in the minors in Columbus before getting called up and put in the starting lineup in early July.

Curtis Pride / Gallaudet Athletics

Pride only had 12 at-bats during his four game Yankees career including just one hit which was a home run. The Yankees acquired Pride to be used as an emergency outfielder who could also pinch-run. He also had a decent amount of experience in the majors and a likable personality which were attractive traits for the Yankees and made him a good fit for the team.

His time with the Yankees was brief but memorable. Despite not being well-known prior to joining the team, Curtis Pride made a lasting impression with the often critical fanbase. He endeared himself to the supporters with his homer against the rival Red Sox resulting in a standing ovation and curtain call.

Over 50,000 people were cheering for him, but he did not hear a thing. Curtis Pride is one of the few deaf players in the history of Major League Baseball. He does not let this stop him or hold him back despite it being a clear disadvantage compared to most players. Instead, Pride relies on his teammates and coaches as well as his other senses to even the playing field.

His journey to get to this point was not easy as Pride faced many obstacles throughout his career. The year before his Yankees tenure, Curtis Pride had excelled at Triple-A for the Pirates organization. In 2003, not a single team was willing to add him to their roster.

Pride was 34 years old and was struggling to stick in the major leagues for almost a decade. Many other players would have given up and switched occupations; however, Curtis Pride had persevered his whole life to prove his doubters wrong. He was, and still is, an inspiration to thousands of people, especially hearing-impaired kids. This was just a bump in the road for Pride.

The stinging rejection motivated him to play better and show every team they made a mistake by not signing him. He refused to be forgotten and showcased his talent by putting up gaudy numbers in the Atlantic League. MLB couldn’t ignore Pride’s skill set any longer and his efforts paid off when he became a New York Yankee.

The Yankees added Pride to their team in the middle of a tight battle for the division with the Red Sox. They believed he would be a valuable bench piece and help them claim the AL East. His success was limited to just that one game against the Red Sox but he contributed to the win. The Yankees never relinquished their hold on the division after this victory and Curtis Pride was a part of it.

The Yankees were pleased with Pride’s impact, but it was nothing compared to how he felt about his experience with the best sports team in history.

“It was like a dream,” Pride said to the New York Times.“To be in Yankee Stadium in a Yankee uniform, I'm just glad I got the opportunity.”