DIDI GREGORIUS: I'LL BE BACK

Source: NY Times

The forever gentleman, team leader, and optimist, Didi Gregorius had his first appearance since his Tommy John surgery in October.  According to the the NY Post, Gregorius was in good spirits and shook hands with fans at the T-Mobile Flagship store in mid-town Manhattan yesterday.  He says he will be back better than ever and hopes he will be back at short during the first half of the season.

Source: Jeff Zelevansky

"Really confident,” the Yankees’ shortstop said when asked of his convictions that Tommy John surgery on his right elbow would not sidetrack his progress. “I don’t think much is going to change. It’s just surgery and that’s it," reported the Post.

Source: AP/Jeff Roberson

With all this banter about Manny Machado and needing to replace Gregorius both in the field and in the batter's  box, Gregorius seemed unfazed by the discussions, but did not answer any questions about the speculations of picking up a hefty short stop to fill the void the team will feel with him on the disabled list at the start of the 2019 season.

Source: The Runner Sports

Early last month Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman opened up about his confidence for Gregorius and his commitment to him for years to come.  "I’m a big fan of the player. I don’t think Tommy John will be a career-ending issue for him, like it typically isn’t. It’s a problem that we all have to deal with. “How we deal with it remains to be seen. But he’s wired the right way. So he’s the type of person you like to surround yourself with, not run from,” reported the NY Post in early November.

Source: NJ.com

He's also a dugout favorite of Yankee Skipper Aaron Boone.  "He’s just kind of a blue-collar, lunch pail type of player,” Manager Aaron Boone said. “He’s tough, he’s able to play through things, and there’s an ‘I want the ball hit to me’ feeling about him,” reported the NY Times in August.

Source: Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

Gregorius' commitment to this game has always been at the forefront of his actions and words both on and off the field.  His Tweets after Yankee wins have become contagious as has his personality and generosity to fans and the New York city communities.  Between his contributions to charities and giving out subway tokens to fans, Gregorius has been a face of the franchise and when he says he will be back good as new, he will.

“I think since he got here, taking over for who he took over for, and being able to have three 20-home run seasons in a row, it’s just incredible,” Sabathia said. “I think what he’s done to turn around this team in the rebuilding process, he’s been the number one key,” according to NY Times.

Source: Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

Gregorius is irreplaceable...you hear that Cashman.  We don't need Machado, we need to build an infield that can support the Yankees until Gregorius comes back.  We owe it to him.  We owe it to the Yankees.  Gregorius will be back and the fans will be waiting with welcoming arms.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof