65-555: Brett Michael Gardner (born August 24, 1983) is an American former professional baseball outfielder who spent his entire 14-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the New York Yankees . Gardner was a walk-on for the College of Charleston 's baseball team. Selected by the Yankees in the third round of the 2005 MLB draft , Gardner made his MLB debut with the Yankees in 2008 and
130-475: A pinch runner for Jason Giambi , scoring on a sacrifice fly by Robinson Canó in the seventh inning of an eventual 7–3 win for the Yankees over the Baltimore Orioles . Gardner finished his rookie season playing in 42 games, batting .228 with 16 RBI and 13 stolen bases. Gardner was named the Yankees' starting center fielder for Opening Day of the 2009 season on March 29, beating out Melky Cabrera for
195-484: A walk-off single past a diving Miguel Cabrera to give the Yankees a 4–3 win. According to the Elias Sports Bureau , Gardner became the first Yankee since Claudell Washington in 1988 to have two walk-off hits in a span of three or fewer games. In 2013, Gardner played 145 games batting .273 with eight home runs, 33 doubles, an American League leading 10 triples, 52 RBI, and 24 stolen bases. On February 23, 2014,
260-590: A 12–4 win over the Baltimore Orioles. On May 2, Gardner had another two home run game in an 11–5 win over the Toronto Blue Jays . On May 5, with the Yankees down to their final strike, Gardner hit a go-ahead three-run home run off of Hector Rondon , which proved to be the game winner as the Yankees won 3–2 over the Chicago Cubs . On June 1, Gardner collected the 1,000th hit of his career off Marco Estrada of
325-490: A Yankee. On April 23, Gardner hit a walk-off home run against the Tampa Bay Rays . Gardner's on-base percentage in 2016 was .351, his highest in a full season since 2010, and his 70 walks were his most since that same season. However, his .713 OPS was tied with 2011 for his lowest career mark in a full season. For the 2016 season, Gardner hit .261 with seven home runs, 41 RBI, and 16 stolen bases. His home run and RBI count were
390-472: A bone spur and inflamed tissue. He was reactivated on September 25 after Steve Pearce and Justin Thomas were designated for assignment. Gardner played in 16 games during 2012, batting .323 with two stolen bases and three RBI. With Curtis Granderson having suffered a fractured right forearm during a spring training game, Gardner was moved to center field for the 2013 season. For the week of June 2–9, Gardner
455-501: A broken bone in his hand. In 203 at bats, he stole 18 bases (tied for fifth in the league; while being caught four times), hit five triples , and batted .300 with a .392 on-base percentage (OBP), before being promoted to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees . There, in 45 games, he batted .260 with a .343 OBP, and stole 21 bases while being caught only three times. In fall 2007, he played in 26 games in
520-569: A fan favorite due to his tenacity, grit, and blue-collar approach. When top prospect Anthony Volpe made the Yankees' roster in 2023, he was offered the number 11 by the team, but he called Gardner for the veteran's blessing before accepting his old number, which Gardner happily obliged. Gardner attended Holly Hill Academy in Holly Hill, South Carolina , where he played for the school's baseball team. He also played American Legion Baseball for St. George Post 105. Gardner attended walk-on tryouts for
585-516: A fourth-outfielder role, played in 49 games, hitting .223 with five home runs and 15 RBI. On October 29, 2020, the Yankees declined their 2021 $ 10 million option on Gardner, making him a free agent. On February 23, 2021, Gardner signed a one-year, $ 4 million contract with the Yankees, which included an option for 2022. Despite once again starting the season as a projected fourth outfielder, due to injuries to Aaron Hicks , Gardner played in 140 games and hit .222 with 10 home runs and 39 RBI. On November 4,
650-713: A league champion. In further postseason play, the IL champion meets the Pacific Coast League 's champion in the Triple-A National Championship Game , a single game to determine an overall champion of Triple-A baseball, which has been held annually since 2006, excluding 2020 and 2021. Previously, the IL champion also competed in the Triple-A World Series (1983, 1998–2000), Junior World Series (1919), and other sporadic postseason competitions throughout
715-458: A single game between the winners of the East and West Divisions. Since 2023, a best-of-three series has been held between the winners of each half of the season. Active International League teams appear in bold . The IL recognizes outstanding players and team personnel annually near the end of each season. The Most Valuable Player Award , first awarded in 1932, is given to honor the best player in
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#1732877127172780-523: A triple play. On July 2, he earned both his first pop out and first hit by pitch, off fellow rookie Texas Rangers relief pitcher Warner Madrigal in the seventh inning. On July 26, 2008, Gardner was optioned back to AAA after the acquisition of Xavier Nady in order to continue to receive playing time. The Yankees again recalled Gardner in 25 days. On September 21, 2008, Gardner scored the final run of Major League Baseball in Yankee Stadium history as
845-628: Is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the United States. Along with the Pacific Coast League , it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major League Baseball (MLB). The league traces its roots to 1884, while the modern IL began in 1912. Following MLB's reorganization of the minor leagues in 2021, it operated as the Triple-A East for one season before switching back to its previous moniker in 2022. It
910-527: Is determined at the end of each season. The Rochester Red Wings have won 19 International League titles , the most in the league's history, followed by the Columbus Clippers (11) and the Baltimore Orioles , original Buffalo Bisons , and Toronto Maple Leafs (10). During the era of the Governors' Cup playoffs from 1933 to 2020, the most cup titles were won by Columbus (11), followed by Rochester (10) and
975-532: Is divided into the East Division and the West Division, each consisting of 10 teams. As of the 2022 season, all teams play a 150-game schedule, beginning in late March and concluding in late September. Since the 2023 season, the regular season is split into two halves. After the completion of the season, the winners of each half meet in a best-of-three series to determine a league champion . From 1933 to 2019,
1040-669: Is often applied as an umbrella term for all leagues — major and minor — under the authority of the Commissioner of Baseball . Operating outside the Minor League Baseball organization are many independent minor leagues such as the Atlantic League , American Association , Frontier League , and the feeder league to these the Empire Professional Baseball League . Japan has had professional baseball since
1105-571: Is so named because throughout much of its history the International League had teams in Canada and Cuba as well as those in the United States. Since 2008, however, all of its teams have been based in the US. The IL's 20 teams are located in 14 states stretching from Papillion, Nebraska , to Worcester, Massachusetts , and from St. Paul, Minnesota , to Jacksonville, Florida . A league champion
1170-468: The Arizona Fall League , leading it in runs (27) and stolen bases (16), while being caught stealing only once. He batted .343 (fifth in the league) with a .433 OBP (third) and was third in the league in walks with 17. In 2007, he was the 12th-best prospect in the Yankees minor league system according to Baseball America . Playing for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2008, in 94 games Gardner was second in
1235-492: The China National Baseball League , Israel Baseball League , and Baseball Philippines . During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, players of black African descent were barred from playing the major leagues , though several did manage to play by claiming to be Cubans or Native Americans . As a result, a number of parallel Negro leagues were formed. However, after Jackie Robinson began playing with
1300-781: The Cleveland Indians , 8–6, in 11 innings before 11,032 fans at Franklin County Stadium in Columbus, Ohio . The International League and the American Association , another Triple-A league that operated in the Midwest, voted in 1988 to play interleague games as part of the Triple-A Alliance . The league also split into two divisions that year. The interleague concept ended in 1992, but the two league divisions remained. In 1998,
1365-508: The International League with a .414 on-base percentage, 70 walks, 11 triples, and was sixth in the IL with 37 stolen bases, while being caught only nine times. Through 2008 in the minor leagues, he had a .291 batting average and a .389 OBP. He had stolen 153 bases, being caught only 31 times (an 83% success rate). On June 30, 2008, Gardner was called up and made his major league debut, batting last and going 0-for-3 and grounding into
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#17328771271721430-520: The Kansas City Royals . Gardner entered the 2018 season as a member of a crowded outfield. However, due to injuries to Jacoby Ellsbury , (who missed the entire 2018 season with various ailments), Clint Frazier , who suffered a concussion in spring training that sidelined him for most of the season, and Aaron Judge (who missed two months with a wrist injury), Gardner saw more playing time than originally expected, appearing in 140 games. He finished
1495-666: The National League (founded in 1876) and the American League (founded in 1901). Historically, teams in one league never played teams in the other until the World Series , in which the champions of the two leagues played against each other. This changed in 1997 with the advent of interleague play . The Philadelphia Phillies , founded in 1883, are the oldest continuous same-name, same-city franchise in both Major League Baseball and all of American professional sports. In addition to
1560-554: The Southern Conference with 38 stolen bases . After his senior year in college, the New York Yankees selected Gardner in the third round, with the 109th overall selection, of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft . Gardner received a $ 210,000 signing bonus . Gardner finished the 2005 season in the New York–Penn League season ranking 268th in at bats (with 282), 54th in runs (62), and 78th in stolen bases (19). He
1625-725: The Syracuse Mets (8). The International League was created from the mergers of member teams from three precursor leagues: the Eastern League of 1884, which was itself a re-organization of the Interstate Association of 1883; the New York State League , formed in 1885; and the Ontario League, also organized in 1885. The New York State League and Ontario League merged in 1886 to form the International League, and in 1887
1690-676: The 1930s. Nippon Professional Baseball consists of two leagues, the Central League and the Pacific League , each with six teams. South Korea has had professional baseball since 1982. There are 10 teams in KBO League . Taiwan has had professional baseball since the 1990s. The Chinese Professional Baseball League absorbed Taiwan Major League in 2003. There are currently 6 teams in the CPBL. Other Asian leagues include three now defunct leagues,
1755-416: The 2021 season, Major League Baseball (MLB) assumed control of Minor League Baseball in a move to increase player salaries, modernize facility standards, and reduce travel through better geographical alignment. As part of this reorganization, the International League was expanded to 20 teams and temporarily renamed the "Triple-A East" for the 2021 season. Of these 20 teams, 14 were existing members of
1820-545: The All-Star Game itself. These teams were either charter members of the IL in 1912 or were added as expansion teams thereafter. Three current teams joined the IL in 1998 from the American Association , which disbanded after the 1997 season. Indianapolis had previously played in the IL in 1963. Four current teams were placed in the IL from the Triple-A Pacific Coast League in 2021. One current team
1885-467: The Boston Red Sox in what would be the game-deciding hit. He became one of two players in Yankees history (alongside Derek Jeter ) to hit at least 100 home runs and steal at least 250 bases. On July 26, the Yankees placed Gardner on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to July 22) for left knee inflammation stemming from an injury he had suffered the previous week, putting him on the injured list for only
1950-539: The Eastern League was absorbed to create a ten-club league. Also in 1887, the International League passed a resolution barring African Americans from playing in the league. The league collapsed soon afterwards, when the northern teams claimed that it was too onerous to travel to the south and formed the International Association . The "International League" name was first used in 1886, but did not become
2015-624: The International League reorganized into three divisions with the addition of four new teams—the Buffalo Bisons , Indianapolis Indians , and Louisville Redbirds joined from the disbanded American Association, while the Durham Bulls joined from the Class A Carolina League . The start of the 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic before ultimately being cancelled on June 30. Prior to
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2080-559: The International League, four were the easternmost teams from the Pacific Coast League , one was promoted from the Double-A Southern League , and one moved from the independent American Association of Professional Baseball . Following MLB's acquisition of the rights to the names of the historical minor leagues, the Triple-A East was renamed the International League effective with the 2022 season. The International League
2145-474: The Toronto Blue Jays. On June 30, Gardner went 3-for-5 with a grand slam and 6 RBIs, tying his career high, while falling a triple short of the cycle. On July 27, Gardner hit his 18th home run of the season, a walk-off against the Tampa Bay Rays , setting a new career high for single-season home runs. The next day, Gardner started the game with a leadoff home run. Gardner hit a walk-off single on July 29 with
2210-450: The Yankees and Gardner agreed to a four-year, $ 52 million extension to begin in 2015. On April 23, 2014, Gardner made his first career start at right field. On July 28, 2014, Gardner recorded his first career multi-homer game where he hit two home runs off of Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish . He was named AL Player of the Week on August 4. On September 21, Gardner recorded the 15,000th home run of
2275-555: The Yankees franchise off the Blue Jays' Drew Hutchison . Gardner struggled in September due to an injury, finishing 12-for-72 (.167 batting average), dampening his strong 2014 offensive season. Gardner changed his approach to hitting, relying less on his declining speed and altering his swing to develop more power. For the 2014 season, Gardner played in 148 games, batting .256 with a career-high 17 home runs, 58 RBI, and 21 stolen bases, and had
2340-478: The Yankees' 3–0 loss to the Houston Astros in the 2015 AL Wild Card Game , Gardner received a loud roar of boos from fans at Yankee Stadium . In 2015, Gardner continued his hitting approach from the prior season, batting .259 with 16 home runs, 66 RBI, and 20 stolen bases. Gardner was moved into the Yankees' leadoff spot midseason after traditionally hitting behind Jacoby Ellsbury during Ellsbury's tenure as
2405-562: The Year Award , started in 1967, is given to the league's top manager. The Executive of the Year Award, first awarded in 1964, honored team executives who contributed to the success of the league. The Spirit of the International League Award, first awarded in 2010, honored team executives who exhibited dedication to creating and maintaining positive fan experiences when visiting IL games. The International League Hall of Fame
2470-421: The baseball team at the College of Charleston in 2001. Gardner made the team and became a three-year starter for the College of Charleston Cougars . Gardner had a .397 batting average in 2004, his junior year, but he was not selected in the 2004 MLB draft . In 2005, his senior year, he batted .447, tied for the most hits in college baseball with 122, established a Cougars record with 85 runs scored , and led
2535-532: The bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth. Gardner hit 21 home runs, recording 23 steals and a .264 average as the Yankees made the playoffs and finished one game shy of the World Series. Gardner had a productive postseason, batting .286 with 2 RBI in the American League Division Series versus the Cleveland Indians . He was listed as a Gold Glove finalist, but ultimately lost to Alex Gordon of
2600-447: The best defensive left fielder in MLB. On December 7, 2010, Gardner underwent surgery to get rid of inflamed tissue in his wrist, with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman stating that he would be back in time for spring training. Gardner started the 2011 season hitting leadoff for the Yankees. He struggled in that role and was demoted to the bottom third of the order. However, after Jeter
2665-544: The best fielding left fielder in the MLB. Gardner played in 159 games, batting .259 with seven home runs and 36 RBI. Gardner and the Yankees agreed on a $ 2.8 million contract for the 2012 season, avoiding arbitration. Gardner experienced an elbow injury in 2012 and was expected to return in August. On July 16, Gardner suffered a setback and his chances of missing the entire season increased. On July 24, Gardner underwent right elbow surgery, performed by Christopher S. Ahmad , to remove
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2730-473: The first time since 2000 by beating the Philadelphia Phillies . Gardner began the 2010 season as the Yankees' starting left fielder, taking over after Johnny Damon left in free agency, he finished the season with a .277 batting average and 47 stolen bases in 150 games, and had the highest number of pitches per plate appearance in the major leagues (4.61). He also won the 2010 Fielding Bible Award as
2795-548: The five candidates chosen for the All-Star Final Vote for the 2015 MLB All-Star Game , but was later removed from the ballot after being chosen to replace the injured Alex Gordon on the All-Star team. Gardner's hot first half would not last the whole season; after batting .302 up to the All-Star break, he struggled for the rest of the year, hitting .206 in the second half of the season. After going 0–4 with three strikeouts in
2860-464: The four teams with the highest winning percentage . From 1988 to 2020, the four qualifiers were the division winners and one or two wild card teams. The winner of each season's championship playoffs was awarded the Governors' Cup . These playoffs and the Governors' Cup trophy were discontinued in 2021. The 2021 winner was the team with the best regular-season record. The 2022 championship was decided via
2925-511: The highest number of pitches per plate appearance in the major leagues (4.44). Gardner was the Yankees' nominee for the Hank Aaron Award for the 2014 season. After the 2014 season, Gardner underwent surgery in his right arm to correct a rectus abdominis muscle injury that affected him in July and September. Gardner was named AL Player of the Week for the week ending June 28, 2015. He was one of
2990-517: The league's history. Other interleague play occurred during the Triple-A All-Star Game . Traditionally, the game had taken place on the day after the mid-summer Major League Baseball All-Star Game . The game was meant to mark a symbolic halfway-point in the season (though not the mathematical halfway-point which, for most seasons, is usually one month prior). During the All-Star break, no regular-season games were scheduled for two days before
3055-545: The league. The Pitcher of the Year Award , first awarded in 1953 and known as the Most Valuable Pitcher Award, serves to recognize the league's best pitcher. Pitchers were eligible to win the award from 1932 to 1952 as no award was designated solely for pitchers. The Top MLB Prospect Award , created in 1950 as the Rookie of the Year Award, is given to the best player with no prior IL experience. The Manager of
3120-549: The longterm name of the league until 1912. The league ultimately cited 1884 as the year of its foundation, through the following lineage: The International League was also affected by the effort to establish the Federal League as a new third major league from 1914 to 1915, with franchises being added and dropped and new ballparks built. In 1954, a franchise was awarded to Havana, Cuba , but due to political upheaval in that country it had to be moved—to Jersey City, New Jersey —in
3185-603: The lowest in a full season since 2011, while he recorded the lowest stolen base count of his career in a full season. He won the Gold Glove Award for American League left fielders. On April 12, 2017, Gardner collided with Rickie Weeks of the Tampa Bay Rays at first base, and both players left the game. Gardner did not sustain a serious injury and came away only with a bruised jaw and strained neck. The Yankees listed him as day-to-day. On April 29, Gardner hit two home runs in
3250-631: The major leagues, many North American cities and towns feature minor league teams. An organization officially styled Minor League Baseball , formerly the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, oversees nearly all minor league baseball in the United States and Canada. The minor leagues are divided into classes AAA, AA, High-A, A, and Rookie. These minor-league divisions are affiliated with major league teams, and serve to develop young players and rehabilitate injured major-leaguers. "Affiliated baseball" (archaically, " organized baseball ")
3315-676: The major-league Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, the Negro leagues gradually faded. The process of integration did not go entirely smoothly; there were some ugly incidents, including pitchers who would try to throw directly at a black player's head. Now, however, baseball is fully integrated, and there is little to no racial tension between teammates. Between 1943 and 1954, the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League fielded teams in several Midwestern towns. International League The International League ( IL )
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#17328771271723380-682: The middle of the 1960 season. Another foray into the Caribbean failed when the newly created team in San Juan, Puerto Rico , added in 1961, had to be moved to Charleston, West Virginia , in mid-season. In June 1971, an IL all-star team beat the New York Yankees , 15–13, in an exhibition game at Silver Stadium in Rochester, New York , before a crowd of 11,001—notable players on the all-star squad included Don Baylor , Carlton Fisk , and Bobby Grich . In August 1983, another team of IL all-stars were defeated by
3445-401: The option for 2022 was not exercised, making Gardner a free agent. He was the final member of the 2009 World Series team remaining on the team. Gardner was not signed by any team prior to the start of the 2022 season. In October 2022 a New Jersey paper reported that he had received a $ 6M offer from the Toronto Blue Jays but preferred to have returned to the Yankees. Gardner's main strength
3510-453: The position, although Cabrera would eventually replace Gardner as the starting center fielder. Gardner played 108 games during the 2009 season, batting .270 with three home runs, 23 RBI, and 26 stolen bases. Gardner was also part of the Yankees' postseason run, appearing in all but one of the Yankees postseason games and starting the final two games of the World Series, as the team won the Series for
3575-401: The season batting .236 (his worst average since 2008), with 12 home runs and 45 RBI. On October 31, 2018, the Yankees announced they had declined his $ 12.5 million option for 2019, and instead re-signed him to a one-year, $ 7.5 million contract for the 2019 season. On April 17, 2019, Gardner hit his 100th career home run—a grand slam off Ryan Brasier —to give the Yankees a go-ahead 5–3 lead over
3640-452: The third time in his major league career. He was recalled from the injured list on August 2. Gardner hit .251 with a career-high 28 home runs and 74 RBIs in 2019. He finished third in Gold Glove voting After the 2019 season, Gardner became a free agent . The Yankees re-signed Gardner to a one-year contract with an option for the 2021 season. In the shortened 2020 season, Gardner, again in
3705-422: The three division champions and a wild card team squared off in series playoffs to determine a champion, with the winner awarded the Governors' Cup , the league's championship trophy. Following the cancelled 2020 season, rather than hold playoffs for its championship, the 2021 title was awarded to the team with the best regular-season record. In 2022, the two division champions met in a single game to determine
3770-590: Was a Florida State League All Star in 2006, batting .323 in 63 games with 22 runs batted in (RBIs) with the Tampa Yankees . During this campaign he was third in the Florida State League in batting average and led the league in stolen bases with 30. Gardner was also second in the league in walks with 47. In 2007, he played 54 games for the Double-A Trenton Thunder , though he missed time with
3835-399: Was established in 1947 to honor league players, managers, and executives who have made significant contributions to the league. The Hall of Fame inducted its first class of nine men in 1947. A plaque was unveiled at the IL's New York City offices located in the Ruppert Building at 535 Fifth Avenue. Today, the plaque has no permanent home, but exists as a traveling display that visits a number of
3900-452: Was his speed. He was best known for stealing bases and being very disciplined at the plate. In 2010 and 2014, Gardner saw more pitches per at-bat than any other player in the American League. Brett and his wife, Jessica, have two sons together. In the offseason, the Gardners reside in Holly Hill, South Carolina . His father, Jerry Gardner, who played in the minors for the Phillies, owns a 2,600-acre (1,100 ha) farm in Holly Hill. Brett
3965-515: Was named the AL Player of the Week . On August 11, 2013, Gardner hit his first career walk-off home run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning off of Detroit Tigers reliever José Veras . The home run sealed a 5–4 victory for the Yankees, and helped give support to a struggling Mariano Rivera , who blew three consecutive save opportunities for the only time in his career. In the same series against Detroit two days earlier, Gardner made his first bailout of Rivera's pitching mishap by hitting
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#17328771271724030-400: Was part of the Yankees' 2009 World Series championship team that beat the Philadelphia Phillies . Gardner led the American League in stolen bases in 2011 and in triples in 2013. He was named an All-Star in 2015 and won a Gold Glove Award in 2016. Gardner also won three Fielding Bible Awards . Gardner was a major leader in the Yankees' clubhouse during his tenure and developed into
4095-535: Was placed in the IL from the Double-A Southern League in 2021. One current team was placed in the IL from the independent American Association of Professional Baseball in 2021. The International League has crowned a league champion each season since 1884. Through 1932, champions were the regular-season pennant winners—the team with the best win–loss record at the conclusion of the regular season. From 1933 to 2020, postseason playoffs were held to determine champions. Participants from 1933 to 1987 were usually
4160-511: Was put on the disabled list for a calf injury, Gardner was returned to the top of the order, alternating with Nick Swisher . After Jeter's return and Alex Rodriguez's stint on the disabled list for knee surgery, Gardner and Jeter periodically shared the top of the order, with Gardner at lead-off and Jeter batting second. Gardner finished the 2011 season tied for first in the American League in stolen bases with Coco Crisp , each having 49. Gardner won his second consecutive Fielding Bible Award as
4225-420: Was raised on the farm by Jerry and his mother, Faye, with his older brother, Glen. Professional baseball Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system. It is played in leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world. Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada consists of
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