Brett Gardner's coming back next month. You wanna know how I know? He said as much. I was lucky enough to overhear Gardy chatting it up with a guy on Sunday while I was on the field at Yankee stadium for a special little event. He was in earshot, I heard the whole thing.
Look, I wouldn't think anything of this except for 1 reason...
Joba Chamberlain. Chamberlain came back because he believed in himself, and his ankle injury was devastating. At least, that's the way it was reported, read
HERE. Sure, Gardy is a different player all together, but there is no doubt that confidence and determination is in all these Yankee players.
Brett Gardner had 28 at bats this season. He was then out for the rest of the year with a mystery elbow injury. Then, it was determined he needed surgery. Ok... it happens. Read
HERE. Many suggested this season was probably season ending and so, the Yankees did what they should have done, they bulked up the outfield with alittle extra athleticism...Ichiro Suzuki.
It's amazing to still think that Ichiro is in pinstripes and that he is replacing a much younger Brett Gardner (temporarily of course), but I tell you what... if Brett Gardner was mildly concerned about missing time and having guys like
Raul Ibanez and
Andruw Jones platooning in his spot, well, let's just say now he's got to be eager to get back...especially with
Ichrio playing a terrific outfield and hitting in every game so far as a New York Yankee. The reality is Brett Gardner said what he said to that man next to me because he knows he NEEDS to get back. He knows his job is being filled by a pretty decent ballplayer and if Brett Gardner doesn't come back this season, well, he's probably going to worry about his every day job.
Now look, the future is the future and I believe that if
Nick Swisher doesn't return, and the Yankees can sign Ichiro cheap next season to play right field. That will mean that no doubt Brett Gardner will be returning to left and all will be right for him. There is no doubt though that the Yankees have set up their 2013 outfield in 2012. GGS could soon be GGI. That's another post for another day.
But back to Gardner for a moment. My take on this is simple; Yes, Gardy wants to come back this season and "next month" sounds good. But at this point, why rush it? Well, if you're Gardy you know why. He's just worried about his playing time diminished and rightly so...Ichiro is his replacement. As far as the Yankees are concerned? Well, they're all about business and will continue to be that way. The best guy on the field all the time... that brings us a championship...or at least we hope so.
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