Back in May, it looked like Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story's tenure in Boston was all but over. After a solid April, he cratered in the season's second month, hitting .158 with a .200 on-base percentage and a .232 slugging mark. Considering the way things had gone for Story in his Red Sox career-a six-year, $140 million contract in 2021 followed by injuries that limited him to 163 games in three seasons-Story's time appeared to be running short.

There were reports and rumors in May, in fact, that the Red Sox were considering DFA-ing story. He had no trade value and the team was struggling with him in the lineup.

Oh, but since then, Story has surged. And in the Red Sox's three wins over the Yankees this week, he continued one of the themes of his season and his career-he crushes the Yankees.

And, to boot, his home run on Saturday in the Bronx, part of a 17-hit assault in a 12-1 win, put him at 20 homers on the season, to go with his 22 steals (in 22 tries). That means that, for the fourth time in his career, Story is a 20-20 player.

It is especially meaningful for Story to do it this season in Boston, given the injuries he has fought through since 2022.

"It's cool to check that off the list as I come back from all those injuries," said Story, via NESN. "I really try to pride myself on trying to be a complete player and it's a good mark of it. It means a lot to me to do it here with these guys, with this team. The way we're doing it, playing winning baseball, that's the thing that matters the most."

Story has been a big part of that, no doubt. While May was Story's cruelest month, he actually bottomed out the first time the Red Sox played the Yankees, in June. In the opener of that series, he was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, dropping his average to .214 in a 9-6 loss.

Since then, Story has hit .304 with 13 homes in 65 games, posting an OPS of .877, and has helped bolster the Red Sox into contention in the AL. Boston is still 5.0 games behind the Blue Jays in the AL East, but leads the AL wild-card race at 71-59, and has a 90% chance of making the playoffs, according to ESPN.

"It's the best. Playing meaningful baseball with this uniform on -- like I've said since I've been here -- is something I look forward to," he said. "Now that we're in it, we get to enjoy that. We're a very confident crew, and we love our chances against anybody."

Especially the Yankees. Since that rough first game against the pinstripes, the Red Sox have not lost to New York in eight games, and Story has put up great numbers. He has hit .351 against the Yankees and 11 of his 82 RBIs have come against New York. He has hit .306 with a .903 OPS against the Yankees in his career.

Story says thrives on the big stage and is grateful to be contributing in important games down the stretch run.

"It's the best. Playing meaningful baseball with this uniform on -- like I've said since I've been here -- is something I look forward to," he said. "Now that we're in it, we get to enjoy that. We're a very confident crew, and we love our chances against anybody."