If This Is It, Thank You Brett Gardner

 It was a hot Sunday afternoon in July of 2008. My father drove my brother and I to the Bronx to see the Yankees play the Oakland A's in what would be the last time I would ever step foot in the old Yankee Stadium. When the legendary voice of the stadium Bob Sheppard announced the starting lineup, the stars of the mid-2000s Yankees were in. Jeter, A-Rod, Giambi, Cano, Pettitte. Then I heard "batting ninth and playing left field number 11, Brett Gardner." At the time, my then seven year old mind saw a small, scrawny, quick player who didn't seem like he was going to stick around for long. 

 Little did I know, that small, scrawny, quick player would eventually be a heart and soul of the Yankees.

Any Yankee fan knows that when the team needs some energy or needs someone just to get the little things done, Brett Gardner can handle it. Whether its getting the big hit, or stirring up the pot with the umpires, Gardner has shown his energy and passion for winning in his twelve years in the Bronx. Want proof? Well if the roof of the Yankee dugout could talk, it would tell you.

Last season, Gardner became notorious around baseball for slamming his bat onto the roof of the Yankee dugout to show his frustrations with umpires.

Gardner has been a main fixture in the lineup in his twelve years. He has been around so long that I recently ditched my fathers car rides to instead drive myself and my friends the current Yankee Stadium, and always see number 11 with his high socks and quick speed.  Since 2010, he had never played less than 140 games except his injury shortened 2012 season (and this year with COVID of course). His production kept getting better and better as the years went on. And when it was time to be clutch, Gardner was to go to guy. Nobody will forget his home run in the 2017 Wild Card game vs. Minnesota. And you cannot forget his memorable 12 pitch at-bat against Cody Allen and the Indians in game five of that years ALDS to ensure victory. Even just last year at 36 years old, Gardner set his career high in home runs with 28. The man is a warrior and battles like no other. Gardner is also remembered for his speed. His 270 career stolen bases as a Yankee are good for third all-time behind Ricky Henderson and Derek Jeter.

The last remaining player from the 2009 World Series team, Gardner has become a leader for the next generation of Yankees. You can ask Aaron Judge, Gleyber Torres, or Clint Frazier and they will say nothing but the best about Gardner. Are these young guys taking his spot in the outfield? Yes, these guys are likely why the Yankees declined Gardner's option which made him a free agent. But his leadership and passion is what makes Gardner beloved in the clubhouse.

When you think of the characteristics of what makes up a "good Yankee" or even a "true New Yorker", Brett Gardner has shown all of those qualities in his twelve years in the Bronx. Who knows what will happen this offseason. But if 2020 was the last time I see Brett Gardner in pinstripes and high black socks then there is only one thing left to say: Thank you Brett Gardner, for wearing the pinstripes with pride.