LUIS GIL COULD BE THE YANKEES NEW DAVE RIGHETTI

It’s been a while—okay, more like four decades—since a Yankees pitcher took home the American League Rookie of the Year award. The last time it happened? Picture this: it was 1981, with leg warmers, classic rock blaring, and Dave Righetti owning the mound. The season ended with the Yankees losing to the Dodgers in the World Series (ouch), but Righetti still walked away with the Rookie of the Year award on November 30, 1981. He put up an 8-4 record, a sparkling 2.05 ERA, and two complete games. 

And get this—he gave up just one homer over 105 1/3 innings! That’s some serious stinginess. Oh, and he led all A.L. rookies with 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings. Safe to say, the award practically had his name on it.

Now, fast forward 43 years. We’re all on the edge of our seats waiting to see if Luis Gil can break the drought. This guy’s been electric, giving Yankees fans plenty to cheer about. Gil wrapped up the season with a 15-7 record, a solid 3.50 ERA, and racked up 171 strikeouts over 151 2/3 innings (yeah, he’s been putting in the work!). And here’s the kicker: in 17 of his 20 starts, he allowed one or no earned runs. Seventeen! Talk about slamming the door shut.

Gil’s up against some tough competition—teammate Austin Wells and Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser—but he’s the one who could end the Yankees' long wait and join the legendary Righetti on that exclusive list. Will he pull it off and earn those rookie bragging rights? We’ll find out today. Yankee fans everywhere are crossing their fingers, toes, and maybe even eyes for good luck.

Stay tuned—this is going to be a nail-biter!

--Alvin Izzo

BYB Yankee History Contributor