As Aaron Boone made his way towards Yankee Stadium on Thursday, just 24 hours before Opening Day, he couldn’t help but think about the man who had been there for the previous 13 season openers.
Boone thought about the void left by Brett Gardner.
“I was thinking of him a little bit on the way in today, and certainly missing him, because I love Gardy, and all that he has meant to this organization,” Boone said. “I guess it’s a little weird in that respect.
“Gardy’s been an amazing Yankee. He was amazing for me to have a guy like that who was tough, was a good player, was consistent, and I think one of the great leaders on this team.”
The longest tenured Yankee’s time in pinstripes appears to have reached an end, as the 38-year-old remains unsigned with the season set to start on Friday. The possibility seems to always be there for a Gardner return, as he has been brought back numerous times in recent years to become a surprisingly regular contributor, but now, New York appears to be moving on, a reality that didn’t quite hit Boone until the commute to the Bronx on Thursday.
“With a short spring training and having new coaches and staff members, there really wasn’t that time to reflect on that kind of thing,” Boone said. “It was like ‘Man, we’re trying to make sure we’re in a good position starting tomorrow.’ There was so much going on on a daily basis to prepare.”
But if this indeed is the end of Gardner’s Yankee career, which began back in 2008, Boone is confident that the team will be able to find new clubhouse leadership, and pick up where Gardner left off.
“We’ve been in positions…whether it was CC leaving, Gardy not being here,” Boone said. “I’ve always believed we’ve been in a position to carry on strongly.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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