Brett Gardner. A real ball player. Persistent. Focused. A Fighter. Gardner stepped in and stepped up when he was asked to; it doesn't matter that he is 38-years-old. It doesn't matter that his throws are not as great as they used to be. It doesn't matter that he is considered the fourth outfielder. He is a veteran and he knows his job. He is a professional. He works hard. And 2021 may have been Brett Gardner's last season—at least in the Bronx.
According to the New York Yankees on Thursday, "OF Brett Gardner declined his player option, and the Yankees declined his club option. He is now a free agent." What does that mean? Would veteran Brett Gardner actually consider testing the free agent market and put on another uniform other than Yankee Pinstripes?
"The only place #BrettGardner is going is straight to #MonumentPark with the rest of the #NewYorkYankee legends , retire #11 GoatGoatGoat #ThankYouBrettGardner," stated fan @AbeLRobertLive.
Gardner has been the epitome of consistency. Very little visits to the IL in his tenure as a Yankee and he is still one of the fastest runners on the team. "Gardner, an All-Star in 2015, has a .256 batting average with 139 homers and 587 RBIs in 14 big league seasons," reminded ESPN. He had one of his best seasons in 2019 but 2020 and 2021 was not as kind to the veteran. He provides more than just consistency; he offers leadership, morale and energy that is not only welcome but necessary for a team that has had their share of chemistry and culture issues in the more recent years.
"A third-round selection of the club in the 2008 MLB Draft, Gardner ranks among the all-time franchise leaders in defensive WAR (12.9, ninth), triples (73, tied for eighth), stolen bases (274, third), stolen-base percentage (81.07 percent, fourth) and hit-by-pitches (67, eighth)," reported MLB.com.
I will be honest, the news of Gardner's potential departure was not shocking. I am sure you are not surprised about the announcement either. But the thought of Gardner not with the team in 2022 did cause me to pause and reflect what he has meant for the Yankees and what he has given us as fans. The irony is the timing of the announcement—the day the Yankees won #27 back in 2009. But Gardner is a father and a husband and eventually you have to consider what your next steps will be and what your second career will look like.
"This game has been great to me and great to my family," Gardner said. "The longer you play and the older your kids get, the harder it gets, and the more things I missed out on, not being able to see them back home doing their thing. It's harder to be together all the time."
So have we seen the last Gardy Party in the Bronx? As a player, likely. As a hitting coach, a special advisor, and mentor, I hope not. When one door closes, another one opens for guys like Gardner who have given their blood, sweat and life to this game. I see him contributing in some way in his future but for now, I respect whatever decision he makes for him and his family. #ThankyouBrettGardner for all you have given to the Yankees over the last 14 year. Now it's time for you to focus on what's best for you. I miss you already.
--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof
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