JACOBY ELLSBURY LIKES THE FEEL OF YANKEE PINSTRIPES

“Putting on a Yankees uniform and calling a Yankees clubhouse home hasn't been too strange.”  These are words out of the mouth of new Yankee centerfielder, former Red Sox centerfielder, Jacoby Ellsbury.  Really, Jacoby?  Not even a little weird?  I went to Boston University and even worked at Fenway Park as a graduate student, and it was nothing short of strange for me.  I loved it when the New Yorkers came to town to cheer on the Yankees and I could break out of my Red Sox trance, but frankly, it never felt comfortable, it was always a little strange.

“But leaving the Red Sox for New York is different than arriving from Atlanta or even Japan. Babe Ruth, Sparky Lyle, Luis Tiant, Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs and Johnny Damon are among those who made the Boston-to-Bronx transition, “ according to article posted in ESPN this week.  And every one of them had to adjust.  Ellsbury seems to have the right attitude and focus for the new season despite changing his red and white uniform to white and navy blue pinstripe.

Ellsbury put on a full official Yankees uniform for a Nike photo shoot this week. This was the first time he put on the full uniform.  According to NJ.com, Jacoby Ellsbury stated that “it felt good. Obviously it looks a little different, something I'm looking forward to. Something I'm getting very excited about. This team has a great chance to win and play deep into October."  

For Ellsbury, it seems to be about new beginnings and the fans.  As one of three impact rookies to make his mark in 2007, Ellsbury thanked the fans for their support during his years with the Red Sox, taking out a full page ad in the Boston Globe upon his departure from the club in December.  But although he left Boston on good terms, Jacoby isn’t sure what is in store for him when the Yankees make their first road trip to Boston at the end of April.  "I definitely gave them everything I had in that organization, played as hard as I could, tried to do everything the right way," he said. "I left it on the field for them, so whatever reception I get is yet to be seen. But I'm not going to think about it too much because it's going to be out of my hands,” stated Ellsbury in an interview with ESPN.

I’m impressed with his maturity and poise, despite his young years.  I will admit, I was not thrilled with his signing and I have always thought he was a bit fidgety out in centerfield when I watched him play from the seats in Fenway and Yankee Stadium, but right now, in this moment, I like what I am reading and hope it stays that way.  We need precision and we need a positive attitude and if Ellsbury is one of the guys to give that to us, then that’s awesome!  He doesn’t have sour grapes for his old team despite them not making an attempt to re-sign him and he appears to be focused and ready to play.

According to NJ.com he is 100 percent healthy and ready to be our lead-off batter and full time centerfielder.  He is also excited that New York fans are happy to have him play for the their team.  So, the stage is set for Ellsbury, who has already had one heck of a career with one major sports franchise.  Now, let’s see what the 30-year-old has for us as he makes his debut in the Bronx in 2014.

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Opinion Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof




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