Chris Mazza realizes 2 dreams at Yankee Stadium

Chris Mazza was called up by the New York Mets last year to make his major league pitching debut in New York that culminated an 11-year journey from Clayton Valley High to “the show.” During the offseason Mazza was claimed on waivers by the Boston Red Sox and this month he made his first two appearances on the mound for them against their historic rivals, the New York Yankees.

The 30-year-old righthander from Clayton pitched 2-2/3 scoreless innings in relief Aug. 1 before making his first-ever MLB start last Sunday when he up eight hits and four runs over three innings.

He left after three with the Red Sox trailing 4-1. They eventually lost 4-2, the seventh straight defeat for the last-place team in the American League East.

Making those appearances even more special is that his paternal great grandmother was a first cousin of the Yankee Clipper, Joe DiMaggio. Hall of Fame legend DiMaggio was born in Martinez and years ago a young Mazza was at a family gathering that DiMaggio attended.