New York Yankees flown to Tampa by Clarke Schmidt’s father for the Rays series – and he even helps teammate Wandy Peralta with his fear of flying!

The New York Yankees trusted their well being in the skies in the hands of the father of one of their own.

Dwight Schmidt, a pilot at Delta Airlines of nearly 30 years, was piloting the team charter plane from Newark Liberty International Airport to Tampa International Airport ahead of a three-game weekend road trip against the Tampa Bay Rays.

On that plane was Clarke Schmidt – a starting pitcher for the Yankees – who is also Dwight’s son.

‘I mentioned it to a few guys [before the flight] and then when we got there, it kind of spread like wildfire,’ Schmidt said Friday at Tropicana Field. ‘It was fun. It was kind of interactive a little bit. 

‘I think a lot of guys got to see things they never got to see as far as going up to the cockpit and stuff like that.’

Yankee’s pitcher Clarke Schmidt (R) had his father Dwight fly the team down to Tampa

That flight will allow for Dwight to catch his son’s start vs. the Rays on Saturday

This isn’t the only time that Dwight has captained the Yankees’ charter flight before. He did so when New York went out to Iowa for the 2021 ‘Field of Dreams’ game.

However, Schmidt didn’t travel with the team – having been optioned to their Triple-A farm team in Scranton. That made this an even more special occasion.

‘Honestly, it was really smooth,’ Schmidt said. ‘Everyone was hypercritical of the landing. I think he mentioned we had some crosswinds when we landed, but for the most part, it was smooth sailing.’

Delta reached out to Dwight specifically to see if he was interested in flying the team down. He accepted, giving him the chance to see his son start against Tampa Bay on Saturday. 

Team manager Aaron Boone, who had stepped into a flight simulator with Dwight last week in Atlanta, said, ‘It’s always cool.’ 

‘I think the guys get a real kick out of it. … He’s an engaging, really good dude.’

The Yankees also think they ‘took steps forward’ in dealing with Wandy Peralta’s fear of flying

But the biggest bonus of having a personal connection with who is flying you is the perks of being able to calm the nerves of those afraid of air travel.

That includes fellow pitcher Wandy Peralta, who Schmidt says appeared more comfortable on this flight than before.

‘We felt like we chipped away a little bit,’ Schmidt said with a laugh. ‘I think there was less rocking than I normally see from him at his seat. 

‘So I think he was a little more calm. Some of the guys were saying it was good to have my dad flying the flight because he had a little more invested in the plane so they felt a little safer out there.

‘Hopefully we took some steps forward with Wandy.’