Harrison Bader hit five home runs in the regular season, but so far, he has three in four games in the ALDS, including what was the virtual game-winner in Game 4.
He’s never been known as a power threat, even after a career-high 16 homers in 2021, but it has shown up big-time in the ALDS…and may continue?
“I like to think I have it in my swing,” he laughed after Game 4. “No, I mean, you don't try to do anything. The only thing you really try to do is game plan properly. Once the game starts, any time you try to force an action, you know, I found it doesn't really work well. I don't focus on those numbers. Just, the next opportunity you got a chance to go up there and swing the bat, you just look to do damage in the zone you're looking for. Every day is a new day with a new pitcher, and you game plan accordingly.”
Staying within himself is something Bader prides himself on, so he can keep himself in check.
“For me, you get fast, you get sped up. And in a game where there is a lot of emotion behind every pitch, the only way to do it in my opinion is to slow it down. You know, the game slows down, it's a lot easier to execute your approach and what you're trying to do,” he said. “You know, I focus solely on the things I can control day in and day out. One of those things that is not in my control is how I'm moved as a piece especially at this level. I just view, you know, being traded here very serendipitously, and I just look to take, you know, advantage of it every single day.”
Still, for Bader, it’s apropos he’s becoming Mr. October for the franchise that had the original – and the franchise that he watched growing up as “Mr. November” was also born.
“I mean, you definitely visualize it, you have a dream about it as a Yankees fan growing up, and it’s definitely sweet, but, you know, again I'm here to play ball,” Bader said. “I'm here to win. But to be able to do it in a Yankees uniform is definitely sweet, no doubt about it. That wouldn't change regardless of the circumstances, regardless of the uniform.”
Still, it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“The power showing up here in the post season for us has been big,” manager Aaron Boone said. “He really stepped on that ball (in Game 4). I mean, that's a bomb, and it was huge for us to give us a little cushion there early.”
Again, just doing what he does.
“Just remaining present, staying with my teammates. You know, Gerrit said it really, really well in the dugout. You just play each out, you play each at-bat as just a singular event, and you just go from there and keep repeating it until the game is over,” Bader said. “Because, you know, a lot of things can change. Just remaining present, trying to put a good swing on the ball. Trying to put the ball in play for my team.”
Today is indeed another day, but not just any day, because it’s once again win or go home for the Yankees. This time, though, it’s at Yankee Stadium,
“I'm looking forward to playing some baseball tomorrow in front of a home crowd, so (the Guardians) can feel our energy and our fans, I'm looking forward to it,” Bader said. “If there is a game being played, we feel like we're in the driver's seat. That's how we remain dangerous. I don't think we want it any other way to return back to the Bronx. So, yeah. We're just excited about the energy we got moving forward, and we'll go out there and play our best baseball. That's all there is to it. It's going to be a great day. I can't wait to get to it.”
Follow Lou DiPietro on Twitter: @LouDiPietroWFAN
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