New York Yankees fans are marking the birthday of left-handed pitcher James Paxton, who wore number 65 during his tenure with the Bronx Bombers. A featured photograph from August 20, 2020 captures Paxton in action at Yankee Stadium during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays, a contest the visitors won 10-5.
The image, captured by Jim McIsaac for Getty Images, shows Paxton on the mound in pinstripes during what proved to be a challenging outing against the eventual American League champions. The Rays' victory that night was part of their dominant 2020 campaign that culminated in a World Series appearance.
Paxton, a Canadian native from Ladner, British Columbia, joined the Yankees via trade from the Seattle Mariners ahead of the 2019 season. During his two years in New York, the veteran southpaw made 20 starts, posting a 4.31 ERA across 96 innings while battling various injuries that limited his availability.
The birthday feature, authored by John Griffin for SB Nation, serves as a reminder of Paxton's brief but memorable stint in the Bronx, where his overpowering fastball and devastating curveball flashed the potential that made him one of baseball's most intriguing left-handers when healthy.
