On a mid-July Sunday afternoon in 2006, Mariano Rivera jogged out of the bullpen at Yankee Stadium and took his customary warm-up pitches to the strains of “Enter Sandman.” Soon after, the crowd of 54,781 rose to its feet as the great closer struck out Jermaine Dye for career save No. 400. In the stands that day was an 11-year-old kid from Hawaii, who returned home with a favorite team and a dream -- to play for the New York Yankees -- that came true this year. Say aloha to shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

Yankees Magazine: There haven’t been a ton of Yankees from Hawaii. What was it like growing up and learning to play baseball in the Aloha State?

Isiah Kiner-Falefa: Growing up in Hawaii, there are definitely pros and cons. I always felt like the natural resources helped me in an athletic way. Being able to wake up, go to the beach, swim, run in the sand and just play around at the beach really helped my athleticism from a young age. I think the tough part about being from Hawaii that people don’t realize is the opportunity in baseball or in other sports -- we don’t have the same resources other people have. At a young age, I always had to travel, and I always had to do well within three or four days at tournaments. Getting ready for those, and having literally just that time to get a college offer or to get seen by pro scouts, it really got me ready for this opportunity. I feel like if I didn’t take advantage of those opportunities, I wouldn’t be where I am today. And I think just not having as many opportunities as other people really helped me excel at taking advantage of the moment and taking advantage of those opportunities, because they’re hard to come by when you’re from Hawaii.

YM: By travel, do you mean throughout Hawaii or to the mainland?

IKF: To the mainland. We didn’t have any scouts or college schools fly down; we always had to fly up. So, my parents had to sacrifice a lot for me just to be able to go. And I would literally have just three or four days to show people what I could do. It was really hard. I only had about two college offers, and I didn’t have an offer from [University of Hawaii], which was pretty tough at the time for me. That’s kind of how I was able to get a chip on my shoulder, not getting that offer from my hometown school and just not getting anything handed to me. Being from Hawaii and being so far from everything really taught me how to take advantage of opportunities.

YM: Despite those challenges, it seems that there’s a strong youth baseball culture there. How would you describe the competition level when you were a kid?

IKF: Yeah, the competition was always really good. I always felt like there’s really athletic players, position-player wise. We just don’t get credit because we didn’t see as hard velo from the pitchers. I think that was the biggest knock -- the baseball is really good, but we didn’t really have great pitching. So, when people would see us, it’s hard to give guys credit when the pitching isn’t there. That was one of the hard things. But the baseball is up and coming. We’re doing a much better job. And it’s cool to be able to pave the way, especially as a Yankee. I think being a Yankees player from Hawaii goes a lot further now, so I’m excited for the opportunity.

YM: You shared a photo on social media this spring of you as a kid wearing Yankees gear. How’d you become a fan of the team?

IKF: When I was 11 and 12, I traveled to Cooperstown. The first year was 2006, and the second year was 2007 with Hawaii Sluggers, the first and only team so far from Hawaii to win that tournament. So, I had the opportunity to play in Cooperstown and see the museum two years in a row and go to New York City for a week both times. In 2006, I was able to catch seven games, and I got to see Mariano Rivera’s 400th save live. Being so new to the mainland at the time and being able to see the museum and go see Yankees games firsthand and being in the bleachers doing my first roll call, I fell in love with the team and fell in love with the game. That’s really where my true passion started: my first Yankee game. Ever since then, I’ve been a big fan of the team. I’m just so excited to be here and to get to wear the pinstripes with all the greats that came before me. I love the history of the game, so just seeing the people that got to put on the jersey, it’s pretty surreal that I get to call myself a Yankee.

YM: What was it like, then, putting on the pinstripes for the first time in Spring Training?

IKF: It was nerve-racking. I definitely got goosebumps. Then again, I feel like that’s when the best comes out of me, when I’m put in those situations. But being a childhood fan and being able to experience history firsthand, it was hard not to fall in love with this team. I’m just grateful for the opportunity, and I can’t wait to see what I do with it.

YM: From what you’ve said so far, it sounds like you had a very supportive family. What have they meant to you and your career so far?

IKF: They’ve meant the world to me. They’ve allowed me to travel, they put food on the table, sent me to a good school. My upbringing was very humble, disciplined. The way I was raised really allowed me to get the best out of myself and kind of keep that chip on my shoulder. If it wasn’t for my parents, I wouldn’t be here. It’s pretty cool that they saved up all that money to send me to Cooperstown and allow me to go to Yankee games. So, I think for them, it’s full circle that I’m able to put this jersey on. They’ve got to be really proud, and I know they’re really excited to come out and watch some games.

YM: When did you first start thinking about becoming a big leaguer?

IKF: It was always my dream. From when I was a little kid, I always wanted to be a professional athlete. And I fell in love with baseball. I could never take my glove off at home; I was always throwing the ball at the wall and practicing fielding because I knew I wanted to do this. It was just a matter of taking advantage of the opportunity. And I think not getting those college offers, not being a prospect, and always being overlooked really allowed me to thrive and get to where I am today.

YM: You’ve earned a reputation as an outstanding defender at numerous positions. Who helped you hone those skills?

IKF: My high school coach, Dunn Muramaru, who was my coach since seventh grade, really instilled defense on our team. And back in Hawaii, we were able to practice all the time with the weather. If it wasn’t for my high school coach, I wouldn’t be where I am with my technique, with my discipline and my character. [Mid-Pacific Institute] was known as a strict program, and he got the best out of our team. We took ground balls nonstop, and I was able to really mature into the fielder I am today in high school.

YM: With the Rangers, you bounced all over the infield, even catching for a while. What did it mean to you to win the 2020 American League Gold Glove Award at third base?

IKF: It was a testament to who I am. I was thrown into the fire catching at the big league level without really having any experience in the Minor Leagues. I was able to help the team in those ways, but I knew it wasn’t the best decision for me to be back there. So, I talked with the Rangers' organization, and I decided that it was best for me not to catch anymore. I really threw myself out there, and it was a tough decision for me because the organization really valued me as a catcher. It was a tough conversation to have because I was changing positions, and they weren’t really sure what they were going to get. But I was really confident in telling them that I was a Gold Glove infielder. The following year, I was coming in as a utility player and ended up winning the [third base] job out of Spring Training. I really opened the organization’s eyes over there and won a Gold Glove and, the following year, I was able to play shortstop. Now I’m at shortstop again, and this is the first time in a really long time that I’m playing the same position two years in a row, so I’m really excited.

YM: Sounds like spending last season exclusively at shortstop was a nice change of pace. How did that stability impact your overall game?

IKF: It allowed me to just settle into a routine. Catching one day, playing third one day, and just moving around all the time was kind of stunting my growth in a way. Being able to play one position really helped me develop. I’m really thankful for last year, because if I didn’t have that opportunity, I don’t think I’d be here. Everything happens for a reason, and I’m just really excited that I was able to play 158 games and learn and take that experience with me this year.

YM: You also stole a team- and career-high 20 bases with Texas in 2021. How much importance do you put on that aspect of your game?

IKF: I play as hard as I can -- hustle, grind, do whatever is necessary. Baserunning is one of those things that all it takes is effort, and I’m always going to give all the effort I’ve got. Just being able to control base running is why I love it so much. I’m able to set the tone as a runner, and I’m able to show some heart out there, which is what I love to do. Baserunning allows me to show who I am and how hard I can play.

YM: It must have been pretty wild for you this past March after spending your entire career with one organization to then get traded twice in two days. What was that experience like?

IKF: It was pretty crazy. With the lockout ending and everything happening and hearing trade rumors, it was a whirlwind for me. Getting the call from Minnesota, I was really excited to get an opportunity there. It’s pretty funny because I had two first days in a row. I had a physical in Minnesota my first day, met all the guys, met the coaches. And as I’m going to bed that night, I get the call that I’m traded to the Yankees. And, you know, I was so happy. It was like a dream come true. Everything kind of paid off. Then I had another, second first day, and it was just a crazy, crazy time. Friday, I was told I was going to be the starting third baseman on the Rangers, so I had shipped all my cars to Arizona. The very next day, I’m traded to Minnesota, so then I had to reroute everything to Florida, which is not easy from Arizona. As I’m landing in Florida, everything’s on its way to Fort Myers, and then I get that call that night and have to reroute everything again. So, it was tough travel, that’s for sure. But I wouldn’t want to have it any other way. It all worked out.

YM: Have things settled down over these first few weeks with the Yankees?

IKF: Yeah, I’m settling in for sure. These guys really welcomed me in with open arms, and I love the vibes here. Everything here is about getting that 28th ring, and it means the world to me to even get an opportunity to play on a championship team. From having tough records the last three years and playing as hard as I can, but things just not going the way we wanted in Texas, to getting the opportunity to be here and to chase a ring really means the world to me. Every day we show up to work, and the big goal is to win a ring. It’s a way better feeling than just showing up to the field every day. It’s something that I won’t take for granted after being in Texas the last four years. So, I’m going to make the most out of this opportunity and try to win a World Series.

YM: How do you feel about calling New York home now?

IKF: I’m excited. I always like the bright lights. There’s no other place like New York. The city never sleeps, and I can’t be more excited to try and bring a World Series home.

YM: Lastly, you just turned 27, and you’re the starting shortstop for the New York Yankees on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium. How does that sound?

IKF: I dreamed about it. I dreamed about it all the time. Even with Texas, I always dreamed about playing for the Yankees. I remember working out this offseason with Joey Gallo, and I would tell him every day that I was jealous of him. So, the fact that I was able to join him here, it’s pretty surreal. This is where I’ve wanted to be my whole life -- I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else -- so I’m really, really, excited. This is home for me.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Nathan Maciborski is the executive editor of Yankees Magazine. This story appears in the April 2022 edition. Get more articles like this delivered to your doorstep by purchasing a subscription to Yankees Magazine at www.yankees.com/publications.