by John Walters

The Rookie

Not only have the New York Yankees placed 21 year-old shortstop Anthony Volpe on their opening day roster, but they’ve also penciled the Watchung, N.J., native to be in the starting lineup. And they’ve given the first can’t-miss-kid since Derek Jeter jersey number 11.

That’s not only the lowest non-retired jersey numeral (besides “0”) in franchise lore, but it’s also the number of former Yankee centerfielder Brett Gardner, who, if you’re paying attention, still has not officially retired. A moment of homage for Gardner, who on paper feels like someone all Yankee fans should adore, but who in reality never entered their/our hearts in the way that Paul O’Neill or Tino or Bernie or even Luis Sojo ever did.

To begin, Gardner was a walk-on at the College of Charleston. That’s how lightly regarded he was.

Then he makes the Yankees and spends his entire 13-year career with them. The accolades: one World Series win, one All-Star selection. Gardner once led the A.L. in steals, once led it in triples and once won a Gold Glove.

On the all-time Yankees list, Gardner is third in steals (behind a pair of rock-solid Hall of Famers) and eighth in triples (behind a few Hall of Famers and a few Yankee legends, such as Wally Pipp). He’s 22nd on their all-time hits list. Should the Yankees retire/have retired Gardner’s number? Of course not. But if you’re Brett Gardner, sitting home in Holly Hill, S.C., waiting for the phone to ring, or at least waiting for the Yanks to treat you as well as they’ve treated, say, O’Neill, it can be argued that you have a legitimate gripe.

But again, no Yankee fan ever embraced Gardner the way we/they do the true Yankee legends. He may be this century’s Wally Pipp (who twice led the A.L. in home runs). And Volpe, who’ll be an instant favorite in the right field bleachers, is Gardner’s Lou Gehrig: taking not his position, but his number.

Dollar Quiz

1. Since 2017, three different programs have appeared in two NCAA women’s basketball championship games. Name them.
2. Albert Pujols was the oldest MLB player last year. Who will be the oldest this season?
3. Name a country that borders Turkey.
4. What company’s stock ticker symbol is “X?”
5. Which of these cities did NOT have a franchise in the inaugural NBA season (1949-50): Grand Rapids, Sheboygan, Indianapolis?