Bronx fans flock to Yankee Stadium to pick up new gear ahead of the team's return to the MLB World Series

The mood of New York Yankees fans matched Sunday's sunny weather after their team beat the Cleveland Guardians 5-2 in extra innings the night before, sending them to their 41st World Series.

Juan Soto hit a three-run home run with two outs in the 10th inning to seal the victory, winning Game 5 of the American League Championship Series and securing his team the pennant. The Bombers will now seek their 28th league title when the series begins on Friday.

The last time the Yankees reached the World Series was in the opening year of their new stadium in 2009. The area has changed significantly since then, but Estefania Rangel of Westchester said the fans remain just as passionate.

“I'm honestly thrilled about it – it's been 15 years, which is basically half of my life,” she said. “The old stadium was definitely more fan friendly in my opinion, this one has suites and everything like that… I think they're different stadiums, same experience, same fans.”

As Yanks fan Christopher Infante stood outside the stadium Sunday, he said the win brought back celebratory memories of the team's last World Series victory in 2009.

“I almost fainted after Soto hit the home run. Head rush, I got the head rush. But it’s an incredible feeling,” he said. “I remember drinking a little champagne outside my apartment right after our win in 2009. Then we came here, at 161 – it was incredible.”

Angella Pielego also enjoyed the celebratory atmosphere outside the stadium on Sunday as she made her way to a discounted merchandise sale at the stadium.

“It's the Bronx – we're the heart of the city, we're the toughest, and the Yankees show how tough we are,” she said. “I like that there is soul here and that it is super diverse. Everyone comes from everywhere to come here and watch them win.”

With ticket prices for World Series games at Yankee Stadium on Sunday already approaching $900, Pielego said she would watch the Bombers from a bar around the corner. She said she hopes the rival New York Mets also advance to the World Series “so it can be a Subway Series.”

The Mets clung to hope Sunday as they prepared to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6 of their best-of-seven series. On Sunday, the Dodgers led the Mets three games to two.

Joe Zamora also visited the Yankee Stadium merch shop on Sunday. He said he hoped the Bombers would face the Dodgers and their designated superstar Shohei Ohtani.

“This work is not done yet, we are in the process of finishing it – we are just waiting to see who is on the other side of the game,” he said. “I definitely want to see Shohei.”