The Schmidt family has played a significant role in the New York Yankees' journey this season, particularly with Clarke Schmidt set to start Game 3 of the World Series. His father, Dwight Schmidt, has been piloting the team's charter flights, adding a personal touch to their travels.

Dwight, a retired Marine Corps colonel and experienced Delta Air Lines captain, has a history of flying the Yankees, including memorable trips like the Field of Dreams game. Clarke reflects on his father's influence and their shared aviation experiences, though he prefers to focus on baseball.

As the family bonds over these unique experiences, Dwight's efforts to connect with the team extend to arranging flight simulator sessions for Yankees manager Aaron Boone. Despite the aviation legacy, Clarke has no plans to follow in his father's footsteps after his baseball career.

Aaron Boone, the manager of the New York Yankees, has a unique ritual involving his watch collection, which he uses to signify which pitcher is starting. Each pitcher gets a specific color, with blue for Gerrit Cole and yellow for Carlos Rodón, among others.

Boone, a former player himself, enjoys the quirky nature of baseball and has developed a strong interest in watches, especially through his partnership with Oris. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also has a passion for high-end timepieces, claiming his collection surpasses Boone's.

Nestor Cortes, initially doubtful for the 2024 season due to an elbow flexor strain, is now likely to join the New York Yankees for Game 1 of the World Series. This comes after the Yankees made a deep postseason run, allowing for his potential return.

Cortes, who had a solid regular season with a 3.77 ERA, may serve as a reliever in the World Series. His comeback would enhance the Yankees' bullpen, providing additional depth and reliability.

The New York Yankees are on the brink of their first World Series appearance since 2009, showcasing a strong postseason performance with a 2-0 lead over the Cleveland Guardians in the ALCS. Aaron Judge, the franchise's star player, is starting to find his form, which could be pivotal for the team's championship aspirations.

Despite recent playoff struggles, the Yankees have displayed a powerful lineup and a formidable bullpen, leading to optimism among fans and players alike. The acquisition of Juan Soto has further strengthened the team, setting the stage for a potential championship run.

The New York Yankees are on the brink of returning to the World Series, needing just two more victories. A key player, Nestor Cortes, is showing promising signs of recovery from a flexor strain and could potentially join the team for the Fall Classic.

Manager Aaron Boone noted that Cortes has resumed throwing and is making progress, which could allow him to contribute as the Yankees face the Cleveland Guardians in the ALCS.

With a 2-0 series lead, the Yankees are in a favorable position historically, as teams with such a lead have a high success rate in advancing.