NEW YORK – There will be no Gardy party on Classic Car Day.
Former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner will not participate in Saturday’s festivities, which include a pregame ceremony honoring the 2009 World Series-winning team at Yankee Stadium. His absence was the most noticeable on a list of attendees that includes Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia and others.
Why won’t Gardner make it?
“All I know is that his son has a football game Friday night and plans to be there,” said Joe Bick, his longtime agent at Meister Sports Management.
Gardner lives in Holly Hill, SC
A Yankees spokesman said Gardner has not responded to messages from the team since his playing career ended after the 2021 season. The spokesman added that Gardner has announced that he will retire from public life after his playing career ends. Gardner did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The athlete.
The Yankees have announced the list of participants for Old-Timers’ Day, which will focus on the anniversary of the 2009 World Series championship club: pic.twitter.com/ulzVtrZos8
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) 13 August 2024
Gardner has not been seen at Yankee Stadium since the end of the 2021 season.
In March 2022, Bick told NJ Advance Media that Gardner wanted to continue playing and finish his career with the Yankees. However, a deal between the two sides never materialized. In November 2021, Gardner declined his $2.3 million option for 2022 and the Yankees declined their $7.15 million option on him, making him a free agent.
On Opening Day 2022, the Yankees sent out their starting outfield with Aaron Judge, Joey Gallo and Aaron Hicks.
Gardner played all 14 of his major league seasons in pinstripes. The Yankees drafted him in the third round out of the College of Charleston in 2005.
Gardner debuted in 2008 and helped the Yankees to their last World Series victory in 2009, playing 108 games that season. He finished his career with a .256 batting average, 139 home runs, 274 stolen bases and an OPS+ of 100. He was an All-Star in 2015 and won a Gold Glove in 2016. In Gardner’s final season at age 37, he posted a .222 batting average with 10 home runs, 39 RBIs and an OPS+ of 90 in 140 games.
Beginning of the month The athlete reported why star hitter Aaron Judge honors Gardner before every game at Yankee Stadium by saluting the Bleacher Creatures, just as Gardner did while patrolling center field.
“He may not have been the guy to hit 40 home runs in a season or have a .320 batting average every year, or be a (multi-time) All-Star,” Judge said. “But what that guy meant in that locker room, the things he taught me about being a leader and trying to treat people with respect — even what I observed from him and how he treated people. I don’t want people to forget that.”
Starting pitcher Gerrit Cole called Gardner the Yankees’ “de facto captain” when they played together during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
For Rodriguez and Sabathia, it will be their first appearance on Old-Timer’s Day. Rodriguez retired in 2016 and Sabathia in 2019. Other newcomers include AJ Burnett, Francisco Cervelli, Phil Coke, Eric Hinske, Damaso Marte and José Molina. Core Four members Jeter, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera will also be there.
(Photo of Gardner in 2021: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)
