Baltimore Orioles left fielder Aaron Hicks reacts after hitting a solo home run against the New York Yankees during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Former Yankees OF responds to boos with home run in return to Bronx

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 7/4/23

Aaron Hicks had become public enemy No. 1 among New York Yankees fans this season due to his sizable contract and small production.

There was much relief when the team finally designated him for assignment and ultimately released him.

He landed with the Baltimore Orioles and made his first return to the Bronx as a visiting player this week. He was greeted by a resounding chorus of boos with each at-bat. On Tuesday afternoon he responded to those boos by clubbing a home run to right field, resulting in...even more boos.

Though it is also possible that some of those boos could have been directed at the Yankees for giving up a home run to Aaron Hicks.

Have a look. And a listen.

The power of the beard. pic.twitter.com/HARFd2Ukle
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) July 4, 2023

That was Hicks' fifth home run as a member of the Orioles and sixth of the season.

He had some solid years with the Yankees between 2017 and 2020 and had proven to be a great find for the team after acquiring him from the Minnesota Twins. But over the past few years his production tailed off and never matched the seven-year, $70 million contract he signed in 2019. That combination (big money and small production) does not fly with any fan base. It especially does not sit well with Yankees fans. They let him hear about it. And he reminded them on Tuesday that he still has some pop in his bat.

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