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Anyone who has watched a Yankee game with me over the last two seasons knows that my hatred of Brett Gardner is only rivaled by my hatred of 1) intolerance, and 2) the Dutch. Everyone from talking heads to Yankee cheerleaders to unintelligent fans seems to think that Gardner is a mix of Jacoby Ellsbury and David Eckstein: a gritty (translation: white) player whose blazing speed somehow translates into a good hitting eye, a patient bat, and other intangibles that could allow him to do everything but hit for power as he develops into a complete player.
Here's the problem with that theory: it's dead wrong and based on as much scientific evidence as intelligent design. Gardner doesn't have a good eye (his .333 OBP only exists because of an uncharacteristically high .270 avg), has never proven that he can hit for a high average, and isn't even a good defensive centerfielder! To wit, Mr. Intelligent Design doesn't have as good an arm as Melky and can't read the ball off the bat as fast as his Dominican counterpart. Further, Melky has become masterful at cutting off balls headed towards the gap, and clearly surpasses Gardner, and most centerfielders, in this area.
But at least Gardner is fast and can steal, right?
No, and this is my biggest complaint about Mr. Creationist. In today's game against Cleveland, Gardner was on first with an infield single that went higher than it did far, leaving runners at first and third in a tied game with 1 out in the 9th and Posada coming to the plate. Posada is two things at this point in time: 1. an above average hitter capable of hitting line drives or home runs at any given moment; and 2. a line drive hitter completely capable of hitting into a double play given his catcher foot speed. Now, given Posada is a massive dp candidate, why not have Gardner steal 2nd? After all, even haters like myself can not deny that Gardner is one of the fastest players in the majors, and stealing should not be difficult for Mr. Intelligent Design, no?
And that, frankly, is the problem with Gardner. He's had the opportunity numerous times this season to steal a base and give the Yankees a hyuge advantage, and hasn't even bothered to run. This means one of two things: a)Gardner is a lousy baserunner, giving him a grand total of 1/2 out of a potential 5 tools; or b)Girardi refuses to send Gardner for whatever reason Joe has decided upon.
I don't know if A or B is correct, and I don't have time, (yes you do) or the inclination (lazy bastard) to research which one is, but come on, can the Yankees please let Gardner steal in obvious stealing situations if he's going to be given playing time?
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