Brett Gardner
Encyclopedia
Brett M. Gardner is an American
Major League Baseball
left fielder
for the New York Yankees
. Gardner, who is 5' 10", bats and throws left-handed
.
. After the tryouts, Coach John Pawlowski told the players that he would contact them if they made the team. Without hearing a word from the coach, Gardner came to the field the next day for the first official practice, wearing his high school uniform. When Pawlowski asked Gardner why he was there, Gardner told him that he knew he was capable of playing at the Division I level. Pawlowski told Gardner that he could practice with the team, but if at any time if Pawlowski saw that Gardner wasn't capable then he would be let go.
Gardner was a three-year starter at the College of Charleston
. In , he was chosen to the All-Southern Conference
Team. His .447 batting average
was third in the nation in , and his 122 hits
tied for most in the country. His 85 runs
in 2005 is the all-time record at College of Charleston, and his 38 stolen base
s led the Southern Conference. He wrapped up his Cougar career as a third-team All-American and a second-time All-Southern Conference player, sporting a .382/.456/.508 career line, mostly from the lead-off spot.
, and received a $210,000 signing bonus.
s (with 282), 2nd in runs (62), and 5th in stolen bases (19). He was a Florida State League
all star in , batting .323 in 63 games with 22 RBI
s with the Tampa Yankees
. He was 3rd in the Florida State League in batting average, and led the league in stolen bases with 30. Gardner also was second in the league in walks
with 47.
In 2007
, he played 54 games for the Double-A Trenton Thunder
, though he missed time with a broken bone in his hand. In 203 at bats, he stole 18 bases (tied for 5th in the league; while being caught 4 times), hit 5 triples
, and batted .300 with a .392 OBP
, before being promoted to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. There, in 45 games he batted .260 with a .343 OBP, and stole 21 bases while being caught only 3 times.
In the fall of 2007, he played in 26 games in the Arizona Fall League
, leading it in runs (27) and stolen bases (16), while being caught stealing only once. He batted .343 (5th in the league) with a .433 obp (3rd), and was 3rd in the league in walks (17). In , he was the 12th-best prospect in the Yankees minor league system according to Baseball America
.
Gardner headed into 2008, according to Baseball America, as the Yankee's fastest minor league runner and the one with the best plate discipline. Playing for Scranton/Wilkes Barre in 2008, in 94 games Gardner was 2nd in the International League
with a .414 on base percentage, 70 walks, and 11 triples, and 6th in the IL with 37 stolen bases, while being caught only 9 times.
Through 2008 in the minor leagues, he had a .291 batting average and a .389 OBP. He had stolen 153 bases, and been caught 31 times, an 83% success rate.
relief pitcher
Warner Madrigal
, in the seventh inning. Gardner went on to steal second and eventually score in that inning.
On July 26, 2008, Gardner was optioned back to AAA after the acquisition of Xavier Nady
in order to continue to receive playing time. On August 15 Gardner was called back up to the big leagues.
On September 21, 2008, Gardner scored the final run of Major League Baseball in Yankee Stadium history as a pinch runner
for Jason Giambi
, scoring on a sacrifice fly
by Cano in the seventh inning of an eventual 7–3 win for the Yankees over the Baltimore Orioles
.
He was named the Yankees' starting center fielder for the 2009 season on March 29, 2009, beating out Melky Cabrera
for the position.
Gardner finished the 2010 season with a .277 batting average and 47 stolen bases in 150 games. He also won the 2010 Fielding Bible Award
as the best defensive left fielder in MLB.
On December 7, 2010, Gardner underwent surgery to get rid of inflamed tissue in his wrist, with Yankees GM Brian Cashman
supporting that he will be back in time for Spring Training
Gardner started the 2011 season hitting lead off for the Yankees, but after struggling was demoted to the bottom 3rd of the order. However, after Derek Jeter was put on the disabled list for a calf injury, Gardner was returned to the top of the order, alternating with Nick Swisher. Since Jeter's return, and Alex Rodriguez's stint on the DL for knee surgery, Gardner and Jeter have periodically shared the top of the order, with Gardner as leadoff and Jeter batting 2nd. Gardner won his second consecutive Fielding Bible Award as the best fielding left fielder in MLB.
, Andrew McCutchen
, Carl Crawford
, Jose Reyes
, Jacoby Ellsbury
and Michael Bourn
, along with former Kansas City Royals outfielder Joey Gathright
. Gardner is best known for stealing bases
and being very disciplined at the plate. He makes contact with 93% of his swings, third best in the American League. In 2010, Gardner saw more pitches per at-bat than any other player in the American League.
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
left fielder
Left fielder
In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. Gardner, who is 5' 10", bats and throws left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
.
College baseball career
In 2001, Gardner attended walk-on tryouts for the baseball team at the College of CharlestonCollege of Charleston
The College of Charleston is a public, sea-grant and space-grant university located in historic downtown Charleston, South Carolina, United States...
. After the tryouts, Coach John Pawlowski told the players that he would contact them if they made the team. Without hearing a word from the coach, Gardner came to the field the next day for the first official practice, wearing his high school uniform. When Pawlowski asked Gardner why he was there, Gardner told him that he knew he was capable of playing at the Division I level. Pawlowski told Gardner that he could practice with the team, but if at any time if Pawlowski saw that Gardner wasn't capable then he would be let go.
Gardner was a three-year starter at the College of Charleston
College of Charleston
The College of Charleston is a public, sea-grant and space-grant university located in historic downtown Charleston, South Carolina, United States...
. In , he was chosen to the All-Southern Conference
Southern Conference
The Southern Conference is a Division I college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision . Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North...
Team. His .447 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
was third in the nation in , and his 122 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
tied for most in the country. His 85 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
in 2005 is the all-time record at College of Charleston, and his 38 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s led the Southern Conference. He wrapped up his Cougar career as a third-team All-American and a second-time All-Southern Conference player, sporting a .382/.456/.508 career line, mostly from the lead-off spot.
Professional baseball career
After his junior year in college he was drafted by the Yankees in the third round in 20052005 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams...
, and received a $210,000 signing bonus.
Minor leagues (2005-08)
Gardner finished the 2005 season in the New York-Penn League season ranking 5th in at batAt bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s (with 282), 2nd in runs (62), and 5th in stolen bases (19). He was a Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
all star in , batting .323 in 63 games with 22 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
s with the Tampa Yankees
Tampa Yankees
The Tampa Yankees are a minor league baseball team based in Tampa, Florida. They are currently members of the Florida State League and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees Major League Baseball team. Home games are played at George M. Steinbrenner Field, a miniature replica of...
. He was 3rd in the Florida State League in batting average, and led the league in stolen bases with 30. Gardner also was second in the league in walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
with 47.
In 2007
2007 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion – [Boston Red Sox]*Postseason – October 2 to October 28Click on any series score to link to that series' page....
, he played 54 games for the Double-A Trenton Thunder
Trenton Thunder
The Trenton Thunder are an American Minor League Baseball team and are the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Thunder play in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League, and are the two-time defending league champions...
, though he missed time with a broken bone in his hand. In 203 at bats, he stole 18 bases (tied for 5th in the league; while being caught 4 times), hit 5 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, and batted .300 with a .392 OBP
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
, before being promoted to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. There, in 45 games he batted .260 with a .343 OBP, and stole 21 bases while being caught only 3 times.
In the fall of 2007, he played in 26 games in the Arizona Fall League
Arizona Fall League
The Arizona Fall League is an off-season league owned and operated by Major League Baseball which operates during the fall in Arizona, United States at five spring training complexes...
, leading it in runs (27) and stolen bases (16), while being caught stealing only once. He batted .343 (5th in the league) with a .433 obp (3rd), and was 3rd in the league in walks (17). In , he was the 12th-best prospect in the Yankees minor league system according to Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
.
Gardner headed into 2008, according to Baseball America, as the Yankee's fastest minor league runner and the one with the best plate discipline. Playing for Scranton/Wilkes Barre in 2008, in 94 games Gardner was 2nd in the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
with a .414 on base percentage, 70 walks, and 11 triples, and 6th in the IL with 37 stolen bases, while being caught only 9 times.
Through 2008 in the minor leagues, he had a .291 batting average and a .389 OBP. He had stolen 153 bases, and been caught 31 times, an 83% success rate.
Major leagues (2008-present)
On June 30, 2008, Gardner was called up and made his major league debut, batting lead-off and going 0 for 3 with a stolen base. On July 2, he got both his first hit and first RBI off fellow rookie, Texas Rangers2008 Texas Rangers season
The Texas Rangers' 2008 season was the 48th year of the franchise and 37th since moving to Arlington, Texas. The organization, after finishing second in the American League Western Division in 2007. The new season would be the first under the oversight of newly-hired club president and former...
relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
Warner Madrigal
Warner Madrigal
Warner Antonio Madrigal is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher in the New York Yankees organization.-Professional career:...
, in the seventh inning. Gardner went on to steal second and eventually score in that inning.
On July 26, 2008, Gardner was optioned back to AAA after the acquisition of Xavier Nady
Xavier Nady
Xavier Clifford Nady VI is a Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman, who is a free agent.-Amateur career:The St. Louis Cardinals originally drafted Nady in the 4th round of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft after he was named Northern California Player of the Year in his senior...
in order to continue to receive playing time. On August 15 Gardner was called back up to the big leagues.
On September 21, 2008, Gardner scored the final run of Major League Baseball in Yankee Stadium history as a pinch runner
Pinch runner
A pinch runner is a baseball player substituted for the specific purpose of replacing a player on base. In the typical case, the pinch runner is faster or otherwise more skilled at base-running than the player for whom the pinch runner has been substituted...
for Jason Giambi
Jason Giambi
Jason Gilbert Giambi is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball.He was the American League MVP in 2000 while with the Oakland Athletics, and is a five-time All-Star who has led the American League in walks four times, in on base percentage...
, scoring on a sacrifice fly
Sacrifice fly
In baseball, a sacrifice fly is a batted ball that satisfies four criteria:* There are fewer than two outs when the ball is hit.* The ball is hit to the outfield....
by Cano in the seventh inning of an eventual 7–3 win for the Yankees over the Baltimore Orioles
2008 Baltimore Orioles season
The Baltimore Orioles entered the 2008 season led by Dave Trembley, now starting his first full season as manager. President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail continued the rebuilding process...
.
He was named the Yankees' starting center fielder for the 2009 season on March 29, 2009, beating out Melky Cabrera
Melky Cabrera
Melky Astacio Cabrera is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the San Francisco Giants.-Minors:Cabrera was signed by the New York Yankees on November 13, 2001, at age 17...
for the position.
Gardner finished the 2010 season with a .277 batting average and 47 stolen bases in 150 games. He also won the 2010 Fielding Bible Award
Fielding Bible Award
A Fielding Bible Award recognizes the best defensive player for each fielding position in Major League Baseball based on statistical analysis. John Dewan and Baseball Info Solutions conduct the annual selection process...
as the best defensive left fielder in MLB.
On December 7, 2010, Gardner underwent surgery to get rid of inflamed tissue in his wrist, with Yankees GM Brian Cashman
Brian Cashman
Brian McGuire Cashman is an American Major League Baseball executive for the New York Yankees.-Early life:Cashman was born in Rockville Centre, New York and raised in Washingtonville, New York. He was raised in an Irish Catholic family. He moved with his family to Lexington, Kentucky, where his...
supporting that he will be back in time for Spring Training
Gardner started the 2011 season hitting lead off for the Yankees, but after struggling was demoted to the bottom 3rd of the order. However, after Derek Jeter was put on the disabled list for a calf injury, Gardner was returned to the top of the order, alternating with Nick Swisher. Since Jeter's return, and Alex Rodriguez's stint on the DL for knee surgery, Gardner and Jeter have periodically shared the top of the order, with Gardner as leadoff and Jeter batting 2nd. Gardner won his second consecutive Fielding Bible Award as the best fielding left fielder in MLB.
Player profile
Gardner is one of the fastest players in Major League Baseball, joining the ranks of Ichiro SuzukiIchiro Suzuki
, usually known simply as is a Major League Baseball right fielder for the Seattle Mariners. Ichiro has established a number of batting records, including the sport's single-season record for hits with 262...
, Andrew McCutchen
Andrew McCutchen
Andrew Stefan McCutchen is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball.-Early years:...
, Carl Crawford
Carl Crawford
Carl Demonte Crawford is an American professional baseball outfielder who plays for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws left-handed...
, Jose Reyes
José Reyes
José Bernabé Reyes is a Dominican baseball shortstop.He is a four-time All-Star. He led the major leagues in triples in 2005, 2006, and 2008, and led the National League in stolen bases in 2005, 2006, and 2007. He was the NL batting champion in 2011...
, Jacoby Ellsbury
Jacoby Ellsbury
Jacoby McCabe Ellsbury ; born September 11, 1983) is an American professional baseball center fielder with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball....
and Michael Bourn
Michael Bourn
Michael Ray Bourn is a professional baseball outfielder with the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball. He serves as the Atlanta Braves leadoff hitter. He has also been a member of the United States national baseball team....
, along with former Kansas City Royals outfielder Joey Gathright
Joey Gathright
Joey Renard Gathright is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.-Early life:...
. Gardner is best known for stealing bases
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
and being very disciplined at the plate. He makes contact with 93% of his swings, third best in the American League. In 2010, Gardner saw more pitches per at-bat than any other player in the American League.
Personal life
Brett and his wife Jessica had their first son, Hunter, on November 19, 2008. Gardner has one older brother. His father, Jerry Gardner, played in the minors for the Phillies. For the 2011 season, Gardner resides in Westchester, NY adjacent to Mike Pelfrey of the New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
.