Post columnist Steve Serby tracked down speedy Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner for some Q&A.
Q: What are you expecting from Derek Jeter in his farewell season?
A: I think it’ll be a special year. I think that he’s gonna have a great year. I know he’s feeling great. He made a real good play [Thursday] at shortstop, should have lifted any concerns anybody had about how his ankle’s feeling or anything like that. He seems to be moving around real well. It wouldn’t surprise me if he hits over .300 and hopefully leads us to the playoffs and win a World Series.
Q: He looks very sleek.
A: Well, his hair’s shorter, he keeps cutting his hair shorter. I’ve been giving him a hard time, he gives me a hard time about my hairdo. He keeps his shorter, he looks younger. Yeah, he’s in great shape. He works hard, during spring training he’s waking up at 5 in the morning or working out before he even comes to the field so, he’s very dedicated, and I’m sure that’s one of the reasons he’s had as much success as he’s had for so long. He’s a great example.
Q: What are your three top Yankees moments?
A: Wow. Winning the World Series in 2009 … my big league debut, and last year when Andy [Pettitte] and Jeet went out and took Mariano [rivera] out of the game.
Q: What has life been like without Mariano?
A: It’s different. It’s different every year when you have some different faces in the clubhouse, and this year there’s been a lot more turnover it seems like from last year to this year, but it’s different without him. [Thursday night when David] Robertson came in and pitched in a save situation, so it was a little weird not having Mo come out of the bullpen. It was definitely very fortunate to have gotten to know and played alongside of him.
Q: Describe what it was like playing the outfield behind Mo.
A: I really enjoyed playing center field behind him more than anything, because I got a good idea of where the catcher was setting up and what the ball was doing, how much it was moving, and just how special he really is. From left field, it’s a little harder to see how much movement the ball has on it, but from center field playing right behind him, yeah it’s pretty special.
Q: What gives you confidence Robertson can fill those huge shoes?
A: Well, I don’t think anybody can fill those shoes, but I think he’s gonna do a darn good job of taking over for him. I’ve known Dave just about as long as anybody around here, and he gets the job done every time. The numbers speak for themselves, he strikes a lot of guys out, his control’s gotten better over the last few years and he doesn’t give up many hits. He’s one of the best relievers in the game, and I think he’s gonna have a great year.
Q: Describe new catcher Brian McCann.
A: Oh man, he’s a gamer, he’s awesome. He’s come over here and fit right in, especially with the pitching staff, and he’s really worked hard to get to know those guys, and so far, he just seems like a great addition to this team, and a great teammate, and it’s gonna be a lot of fun going out there going to battle with him every day.
Q: Jacoby Ellsbury.
A: Man, it’s good to have him on our side! He’s been beating up on us for a while, and I really look forward to playing beside him and learning some things from him, and really continue to push each other to get better and to help the team win and get back to the playoffs.
Q: Masahiro Tanaka.
A: He’s just a professional. He’s got this quiet confidence around him. I think he’s gonna have a great year. He’s very polished, his mechanics are good, everything is just real smooth out there. It looks like he hides the ball real well. … I think he’s gonna have a real good year. I haven’t faced him, obviously, but from the outfield watching him pitch, it seems like his fastball really has an extra gear to it, and he’s able to get it by some guys. I think he’s got real good stuff.
Q: Describe life without Alex Rodriguez.
A: It’s different without Alex. It’s different without Robby Cano around. Like I said earlier, anytime you have a guy that’s been around for a while and he’s not there anymore, things are a little bit different. But the season starts and doesn’t wait around for anybody, so we’re excited for the season to be here.
Q: What did you think of the flap over Daniel Murphy’s paternity leave.
A: Guys make a lot of money to just talk trash about people, that’s the way I feel about it. It wouldn’t matter to me if it was my third or my fourth child, he was with his wife, he was where he needed to be at, and I’m sure he did everything he could to get things shored up at home and get back to the team as soon as possible, and I commend him for that. That’s what’s important.
Q: Your 5-year-old son Hunter — are you his favorite baseball player?
A: (Laugh) Yeah, I guess so, I guess so. But it wouldn’t surprise me after this year with all they’re gonna see, that they’re both gonna be pretty big Derek Jeter fans. It’s fun having two little boys, and being able to have them grow up and be around the game, it’s gonna be a lot of fun.
Q: How do Hunter and his 3-year-old brother Miller get along?
A: They get along great. My older one, I feel like he’s more of an explorer and a builder, and my little one, all he cares about is any kind of ball — baseball, football, basketball, golf, tennis — as long as he’s got a ball or a bat or a glove or a racket in his hand, he’s happy.
Q: How did you propose to your wife Jessica?
A: Proposed during spring training one year, out on the beach down in Tampa, actually off of Clearwater.
Q: What was your first Yankees home opener like?
A: Just a great experience. How loud the fans are. It’s just a special experience to be out there on the field and line up down the first-base line with all the other great players that I’m so fortunate to be able to go our there and go to battle with every day.
Q: What was it like the day you put on the pinstripes for the first time?
A: I remember June 30, 2008. We were playing a home game against the Rangers, and it was just surreal, just putting on the pinstripes and get chills, and then go out on the field to stretch before the game, and getting the last year of the old Yankee Stadium, so it was a special time. We didn’t make the playoffs that year, which obviously was tough, but it was a great experience , and one of my favorite days to remember for me just being able to get that opportunity and finally make it.
Q: Describe The Yankee Way.
A: Play hard, and go about your business the right way on and off the field, and get your work in and do what you can to put yourself in a position to help the team win that night.
Q: What do you hope Yankees fans say about you?
A: I guess just that I play the game hard, and I play the game the right way, and I gave it everything I had and I got the most out of my ability, I got the most out of what God gave me.
Q: What’s your definition of a gamer?
A: Somebody that’s clutch, somebody that comes through in big situations, somebody that plays hard, and somebody that helps the team win.
Q: Do you consider yourself a gamer?
A: I don’t want to say that. I feel like if somebody wants to say that about me, then that’s obviously a good compliment.
Q: Describe the day you were drafted by the Yankees in the third round in 2005.
A: I was surprised. I expected to go in the first 10 or so picks in the fourth round. An exciting moment in my life, and it’s hard to believe it’s been almost nine years, but it’s been a great nine years.
Q: Growing up in Holly Hill, S.C., what did you know about the New York Yankees?
A: Well, not a whole lot, I didn’t grow up a Yankees fan, I grew up more of a Braves fan, growing up in the south and watching the Braves on TBS every day, but you obviously know the history of the franchise and the success that they’ve had, and just to be able to join such a great franchise, it’s been such a great organization, it’s been a dream come true for me.
Q: What is so great about being a New York Yankee?
A: I feel like everywhere we go, we have fans. I don’t know, I’ve never been a part of another organization, but having guys come over from different places and they’re just amazed at how many fans we get more on the road. It’s great to have that many people pulling for you. Yeah, sometimes if you’re not playing well, they might not be so nice to you because they expect the best, but they have every right to. It’s one of the best things about being a Yankee, is we have fans all over the country, all over the world, and they’re great.
Q: Do you enjoy playing in the New York market?
A: Yeah, I do. New York’s pretty much the complete opposite from where I grew up, a town … in the middle of South Carolina, pretty much the middle of nowhere — two stoplights. New York’s a little bit bigger of a city than Holly Hill, but everybody’s been great to me and my family, and really made us feel at home, and I love it.
Q: Where did you play ball in Holly Hill?
A: Just played outside pretty much every day, I was one of those kids that just could never sit still and always wanted to go outside and play, and it was great.
Q: Was that your dream to play major league baseball?
A: I think a lot of kids have that same dream, and it’s just a matter of how realistic is it? For me, I guess I kinda took the path less traveled as far as going to college and flying under the radar, things like that, but yeah, definitely a dream come true, especially to get drafted by the Yankees.
Q: Three dinner guests?
A: Mickey Mantle, Albert Einstein, George Washington.
Q: Why Mickey Mantle?
A: I was always a big Mickey Mantle fan growing up, loved the way he played.
Q: So you grew up a Braves fan, but you rooted for Mickey Mantle also?
A: Well, I mean listen, I wasn’t alive when Mickey Mantle was playing, but obviously aware of Yankee history and wherever Mickey Mantle was, and just loved Mickey Mantle.
Q: How come you never switch hit?
A: It’s hard enough for me to figure out to hit left-handed, I’m still trying to figure that out.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: “Step Brothers.”
Q: Favorite actor?
A: Bruce Willis.
Q: Favorite actress?
A: Jennifer Aniston.
Q: Favorite meal?
A: Steak and potatoes.
Q: How hungry is this team to win another championship again?
A: Very hungry after what happened last year. It just leaves a bad taste in your mouth, you know? We fought hard last year, but at the end of the day, it just wasn’t enough, we had so many guys get hurt, and we didn’t play good enough. It makes you realize what you’re missing out on, and hopefully we’re playing baseball deep into October this year.
Q: Tell me why you like this team.
A: I think we’re much improved over last year, I think we got a great pitching staff, I think we got a real good offense, we got a lot of depth, and we seem to fit together real well. I think it’s gonna be a special year.
Q: A special year meaning what?
A: No. 1, we gotta try and just focus on staying healthy and keeping guys on the field. But, as far as a special year, our No. 1 goal, we’re trying to make it back to the playoffs and win a World Series, and I think we have the team that’s capable of doing that.