September 20, 2005

Contrary to what you might think, Bubba Crosby slept just fine after his game-winning home run Monday.

After riding the subway home -- and being congratulated by sharp-eyed Yankees fans -- the 29-year-old said he stayed up late to watch the YES Network's replay of the game, reliving the long ball that launched the Yankees to a 3-2 win, before finally dozing off.

"I was so emotionally and physically drained," Crosby said.

The home run put the Yankees within a half-game of first place when the Red Sox lost later Monday night, which could make it a milestone moment for the Yankees' unsung hero.

"Most of the singers are on the DL," Torre joked. "The ones that are unsung are out there playing."

It'll be a career highlight for the little-used outfielder, his family and friends, several of whom called late Monday and early Tuesday to express their congratulations.

Watching the replay on TV, Crosby said he'd also picked up details that had been lost in the commotion of the moment.

"I didn't realize [there were] quite a few hands I shook," Crosby said. "I didn't see exactly where [the homer] went, for the most part. It's funny to have so much adrenaline and be on a natural high that you don't even understand the things you do."

Crosby was back in right field again Tuesday, filling in defensively for Gary Sheffield, who continues to nurse a strained left thigh. Sheffield tested the injury on Monday and said he felt better, but he continued to serve as the designated hitter.

"You never know," Crosby said. "You just always make sure you're prepared."