Early Warning Signs
Instead, he showed everyone on the Yankees bench what a leader does.
He set the tone for the game, and the season, by demonstrating that winning means getting the best from yourself at all times. It means taking advantage of every inch your opponent gives you and turning it into a run, which Brett soon did.
His dirt-eating dive into third spoke plainly a maxim for most of us, namely that, if you want to be successful, work harder than everyone else. That’s how you lead by example: By playing hard and smart, fast and loose.
And right behind him was Aaron Judge.
More than just a power hitter, and not content with starting to find his swing so early, he kept his head up and did what he was supposed to, which is follow the lead runner. He could see that Gardy’s acceleration was going to draw the throw to third, so Judge took off for second.
Again, there was a risk here. Either man could have been thrown out. There was even a chance that both men might be caught, turning first and second with no outs into no one on and two outs.
And there was a chance for an unnecessary injury. Brett is expected to use his speed and grit to swipe bags and swallow dirt. But Judge is a big man early in his career. The most important thing for him and the team is that he is healthy for 162 and, possibly, beyond.
He needs to be hitting home runs and working walks, not throwing himself headfirst into second three weeks before the regular season starts.