Yankees manager reveals Anthony Rizzo’s prank calls in the bullpen during big games

Anthony Rizzo doesn’t seem to let the big moments faze him. In fact, some might suggest he’s a little too relaxed when the stakes are at their highest.

Among those could be New York Yankees bullpen coach Mike Harkey, who, before Game 3 of the ALCS, detailed some of Rizzo’s funniest antics.

Harkey was speaking with the YES Network and discussing how the bullpen phone can cause some tension and how he tries to keep things loose among the pitching staff. That task is made more difficult when Rizzo is on the other end making a prank call.

“I just try to keep it as loose as I can because I know when the phone rings it gets a little hearty. Especially when Rizzo calls in the fourth inning, like he always does,” Harkey said.

“Look, I have to yell at him after every game to stop playing on the phone. But yeah, he likes to play on the phone in the bullpen,” he added.

A call to the bullpen is often a sign that things on the mound aren’t going to plan. This could cause some tension as the team needs to have a pitcher who is ready to enter the game in relief. That doesn’t stop Rizzo from having a little fun at Harkey’s expense, who has to answer the phone in case it’s actually Aaron Boone telling him to throw a pitcher.

Never a dull moment with these Yankees.