New York Yankees: 5 times Brett Gardner showed us Heart and Hustle
By Derek Dueker
Gardner hits walk-off dinger, Judge breaks tooth in celebration
Gardy put an Andrew Kittredge slider in the Yankee Stadium right-field seats in the 11th inning of an extra-inning game against the Rays back in July. During the celebration, superstar slugger Aaron Judge cracked his tooth.
Gardner’s take?
"“He’s too big to get hurt by something like that. I think he’ll be alright.”"
A lot of comments have been made since the New York Yankees made a move to get younger that, along with the move to youth, the former identity of a buttoned-up and businesslike demeanor has been traded for a youthful, loose and fun team.
Despite his age (34), Gardner has transformed with his team.
Take, for instance, when Gardner attempted to prank Aroldis Chapman after the Sonny Gray trade.
Chapman has had the No. 54 jersey his whole career. So, too, has Gray.
So, when the Yankees traded for Gray, Gardner approached Chapman to give him the (false) news he would have to give up his beloved number.
Chapman was ready, however, and reverse-pranked Gardner by throwing chairs and having a breakdown before turning to Gardner and saying, “Gotcha.”
Arguably, the heart of Gardner, however comedic, has been an important part of the Yankees push back to the World Series.
However, he can still break out his old-man’s fist-shake.
During the so-called Players’ Weekend, Gardner refused to put a nickname on the back of his jersey.
"“I tried to go no name at all and keep it original. But they made me put something. I figured I never had my name on the back of my jersey before, so instead of putting a freakin’ nickname, I put my name on there. [Having no name] apparently is not allowed.”"
Never change, Brett.