The Yankees have hit one home run so far this season, good for last in the Major Leagues. Their lone bopper: Steals-hoss and triples fiend Brett Gardner. In the fourth inning of Sunday afternoon's game, he lasered a 1-1 curve ball from Blue Jays starter Dustin Hutchinson into the right field bullpen area of Toronto's industrial-style baseball stadium.
"I don't think anybody bet on that," Gardner said, an uncharacteristic joke by the intense 30 year-old (but a typical show of self-deprecation). "Good to get the first one out of the way. I've got a feeling we'll hit a couple in New York."
The 184 at-bat drought was the third longest to start a season in Yankees history, according to Yahoo. That it was broken by Gardner is only a plus for fans of blue collars and boot-strap success stories.
Though Gardner's wired for leadoff duties (or number 7-8-9 duties now that Jacoby Ellsbury is on the team), he also totes respectable power and an upper cut swing. With such characteristics, a slower, less grounded man would have turned to the long ball. Gardner's resisted such temptations to become one of the game's most promising set up men.
For his unselfish ways, the Yankees rewarded Gardner before the season with a four year, $50 million contract. Some insiders believe the Yanks offered more, but were bargained down by the humble outfielder.
Gardner didn't walk or steal as many bases last year as he did in his breakout 2010 season (.277/.383, 47 steals), but he displayed the best power of his career. He was the only player in the majors in 2013 to hit 30 doubles and 10 triples. (He also hit 8 home runs). Could he go 30-10-10 this season?
