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A 28-year-old utility man, Basak spent seven years in the Mets system before signing with the Yankees in November. Never warranting much consideration on the other side of town, Basak played well at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and, on Tuesday, finally earned the chance to unpack his bags in a big-league clubhouse as he had his contract purchased.

"I was there for a long period of time," Basak said. "It was just one of those situations where maybe it was long enough. I guess sometimes you just get into a whole new situation."

Basak's first call to the Majors would have been memorable for him, no matter where or when it came, but the timing was doubly striking, given the club's current location.

Basak grew up in Joliet, Ill., and attended the University of Illinois, so he expected to have family and friends on hand for Tuesday's game, though he had to caution that he grew up a Cubs fan and went to Wrigley Field far more than U.S. Cellular Field -- his grandparents lived on Chicago's North Side.

"You can't ask for a better time to come out," Basak said.

The Yankees liked what they saw of Basak in Spring Training. He was a non-roster invitee to camp and became one of the last farmed across the street to the Minor League complex as cuts were made.

Capable of playing third base, shortstop, second base and maybe a little first, Basak also played both corner outfield positions at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, batting .265 with five homers, 23 RBIs and a team-leading 14 doubles in 52 games. He was second on the club with nine stolen bases. mlb