Thanks to Nick Swisher for the title.
Quick item on Brett Gardner, the Yankees’ regular left fielder come Opening Day (as of now). According to Bill James’ speed score, which is, via David Appelman (FanGraphs), “an average of Stolen Base Percentage, Frequency of Stolen Base Attempts, Percentage of Triples, and Runs Scored Percentage,” Brett Gardner was the fastest player in the game in 2009 (among those with with 250 plate appearances or more). His score of 9.2 beat out notable burners such as Michael Bourn (8.6), Jacoby Ellsbury (8.1), Rajai Davis (8.0), and Juan Pierre (7.9). While everyone knows Gardner is a fast and productive baserunner, his speed score this past season serves to further support that notion.
Speed is often an underrated offensive weapon, yet it has made somewhat of a comeback as of late, along with defense and youth, which Gardner also brings to the table. If he is given a full season of playing time in 2010, Gardner’s speed and stellar plate discipline could make him a legitimate threat at the bottom of the Yankee lineup.
Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
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12 Responses to Gardner's wheels unmatched in 2009
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TIQ IQ
Boom.
I’ve seen him beat out an infield hit. Nobody moves like him.
Agreed. He is a fast one.
The problem is that A ton of Yankee fans want a brand name to cover left field. I say let defense and speed at the bottom of the order take the place of a certain someone that hit 20+ homeruns and hit for high average but with had no arm.
damon hit .280, not that high, if he hits the same and has a.380 obp. i think he steals 50 bases, and jeter and johnson see a ton more fastballs when he is on base, he changes the game for us in a flash when on base..long has work to do with him, hopefully it will work out, then damon will be distant memory and a very bad poker player..he played a pair of nines like a straight flush, now he is in the toilet . did the mexican league start yet, boras can make a few call ..
I am excited to see Gardner play a whole season for the Yankees. His patience at the plate, base running skills, and outfield defense will be a nice additional weapon on the Yankees star-studded roster. Playing in the 9 hole is a perfect fit for Gardner.
For insurance the Yankees must get another outfielder from the free agency just in case anybody gets injured.
I agree with both AT and Francis. Might as well give him a shot. If Damon comes back, that’s fine, but I won’t mind Gardner at all if he doesn’t and I’ll be excited to watch him play a full season.
Its nice to finally see some support for a homegrown player. I’m a big Brett Gardner fan and tend to believe that he could be a star. I also firmly believe that Brett will be playing Centerfield in 2010 and Curtis Granderson is going to be the leftfielder every one is looking for. Go Yanks !!!
A star? Come on. I’m confident Gardner can be at least average at the plate and very good on defense, but he’ll never be a star.
Nice to see more people join the Brett Gardner club and as for being a star…not so sure about that.
Some (a very few) have been for him playing CF at Yankee Stadium for almost three years now, every were he has gone, he has been under-rated. Hopefully, this is his year.
I do know their is a writer or two, right here on this Blog that don’t think to much of his abilities as the every-day OF, this is fine as they have some good points also. Maybe better even! I have seen him play alot of ball over the last three years and think he (if given the Melky) chance could help the team win again this year and a few more.
Hopefully, we won’t be wrong…as stated above, Go, Yankees!
What happened to the original title? Did Nick Swisher demand a royalty?
If Gardner can hit .280 with 50 stolen bases, I’d prefer he batted first and Jeter batted second but that’s just me.
Larry if we get lucky and he does just that leadoff is the spot.your correct, up late?