From the Field: Brett Gardner, of, New York Yankees

Brett Gardner has been in the big leagues for 12 seasons and been a consistent performer for the Yankees.

• Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2005 draft out of the College of Charleston by the New York Yankees.
• Made the majors in 2008 and has spent 12 seasons in the big leagues.
• His game is speed, but with enough pop to keep pitchers honest–he has averaged 11 HR and 31 SB a year. His career line is .260/.344/.390, good for an OPS+ of 98.
• Despite six seasons of an OPS+ higher than 100 he only has one All-Star selection (2015) and one Gold Golve (2016).
• 34-years old in 2018 he has started to slow down a little; he hit .236/.322/.368 with 12 and 16 SB. Not bad numbers at all, but it’s clear he is in his decline.

Gardner will be starting for the Yankees in 2019, though I would not be surprised to see him settling in as the teams 4th OF before long. That is not a bad thing, and he will be a very valuable player in that capacity.

Got this card signed this Spring at the team’s annual luncheon.