Yankees first home run of season hit by none other than Luke Voit

Luke Voit continues to be the heartbeat of the Yankees, hitting a three-run home run in the first inning of Thursday’s 7-2 Opening Day victory over the Orioles.

If watching Luke Voit mash baseball’s and then inspire his Yankees teammates with youthful enthusiasm doesn’t do it for you, then you’re missing out.

Following back-to-back opposite field singles by the big boppers, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, the cleanup hitter, Luke Voit, went down and crushed an 87-mph off-speed pitch over the center field wall.

Leaving the bat at 112.6-mph, Voit’s mammoth home run traveled 428 feet and set the tone for the rest of the day, as Voit told Mike Axisa of CBS Sports.

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“It felt good off the bat — I did my little Sammy Sosa hop — it felt good to pick up where I left off,” said Voit following the game. “To get that first hit out of the way is always nice.”

Proving he’s more than a one-trick pony, Voit took total control of the strike zone, walking twice and getting hit by a pitch in his final at-bat of the game. The HBP just so happened to come with the bases loaded, leading to a four-RBI day and a perfect 1.000/1.000/4.000 slash line.

Serenaded with cheers of “LUUUKKKEEE,” the 28-year-old first baseman is well aware that he needs to produce not only consistent at-bats but high-octane energy to keep the Yankee faithful happy. Per Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News:

“It’s pretty awesome, man. That ‘Luke’ chant fires me up every time. I feel like I shouldn’t even have a walk-out (song); I can’t even hear my walk-out,” Voit said. “I’ll take those ‘Luke’ chants as my walk-out all the time. It’s crazy how they took me in. I hope they don’t boo me away too quick, because I know it’s New York. I’ll bring the energy and have fun with the guys. I think a lot of the fans feed off it.”

I for one can’t get enough of Voit’s exuberance. In a game that often dissuades players from showing their personalities, Voit embraces his Hulk-like persona.

Slapping his hands together as he rounded first base, then hustling the remaining 270-feet before crossing home plate to a choreographed routine of hand slaps and jumping forearm bangs with Judge and Stanton, Voit is everything that’s right with baseball.

After swatting 14 home runs in 114 at-bats last season, the skies the limit for Voit as he’ll ready to man first base on Saturday after acting as the Yanks’ DH on Opening Day.