WHY GARDNER NEEDS THE LEAD OFF SPOT

Why is this news? A lot of reports that Gardner should and may be the lead off guy for the Yankees. Here's the latest right up to game time tonight, read HERE. I’ve been bitching about having Brett Gardner in the lead off role since January 25th when I wrote WHY BRETT MATTERS. In fact, here's a quote:

"He's the spark plug that gets the team moving. So, in my opinion, there's no reason why he shouldn't be the Yankees lead off hitter in 2011 and beyond. He gets on, we hit him home. It just makes sense.

Gardner is a guy that many Yankee fans can't get on board with. We're known as the Bronx Bombers. Brett doesn't hit bombs. People want that immediate gratification of a home run and all he has is speed. Well, to put it simply, that speed's a good problem."

Who wants to high five me, anyone? OK, honestly, this is sarcasm, I'm not some arrogant prick, but let's face facts, I was right. Brett does matter to this team, and the lead off role should have always been his. Nothing against the Captain, but Gardner is getting on base, Derek Jeter isn’t . You didn’t need a crystal ball to know that going into the season. We have youth verses an aging icon, and that’s not a smear, that’s just a fact. Gardner needs to be there, here’s why.

First off, he’s a dangerous hitter. I’m not sure how that happened but you can credit Kevin Long for his patience and re-training Gardy to use his legs more during at bats. Not only that, when Gardner stands closer to the plate, that helps as well. With hitting comes his confidence and with confidence come Gardy running his ass off. It’s all connected and I am a firm believer that speed at the top of the lineup is lethal against the competition. I continually talk about Rickey Henderson, one of my idols growing up but it holds true in baseball for decades. What makes a good lead off guy? Getting on base. That’s it. Rickey Henderson did it; guys like Kenny Lofton did it. Hell, Wade Boggs didn’t have any speed, but he got on base, and that always helps a club. Last night Gardy took the leadoff spot like I’ve been begging for for months. Jeter took the 2 spot. Let’s face it, he can still hit, I mean, he’s been slow lately but he can still hit and if Gardy gets on, someone in this lineup will knock him in. On the past road trip, Gardner was 14-25. That’s outstanding and in this situation, I’m glad Girardi is looking at the stats in his binder this time, because those numbers are worth analyzing.

My feeling is when the Yankees have Gardner in the lead off spot, you will see runs score. It just so happens that last night against the Rays, we lost because of good pitching by James Shields. That’s it. We just couldn’t get things started. That’s not to say that Gardy couldn’t get on base, he did, a bunt single, but we just couldn’t hit him over. Look, it happens sometimes, but more times than not, we will win those games.

If Gardner keeps getting on base and we start hitting, and I’m talking to you Jeet and Teixeira, damage will be done… I have no doubt.

Please comment and let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.