12up Logo

MLB Season's Delay is Preventing Brett Gardner From Making Yankees History

By Steven Kubitza

New York Yankees OF Brett Gardner is waiting to set more milestones in 2020.
New York Yankees OF Brett Gardner is waiting to set more milestones in 2020. / Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

Brett Gardner decided to give it another go with the New York Yankees in 2020. He has been with the team since 2008 after being drafted by the organization in 2005, so it would be truly difficult to picture him in any other uniform.

Since becoming a mainstay in the Bronx, the veteran outfielder has compiled some historic numbers in the annals of Yankee history. Setting further milestones has hit a bit of a snag with the delayed 2020 season, however.

It will only take 11 games for Gardner to pass Alex Rodriguez in games played in team history, which would put him 17th overall. He has also played in at least 140 games in each season since 2012, which may be an impossible mark to reach in a shortened season.

The all-time games played mark is the one in focus for Gardy. He sits at 1,499, with A-Rod at 1,509. Next up is Graig Nettles at No. 16 overall with 1,535 games. Tony Lazzeri is just ahead with 1,659 games.

A 100-game season should allow Gardner to pass Nettles and jump into the No. 16 spot. However, that may be as high as he goes as the team considers what to do with the contract option on him for 2021. The veteran will still go down as a fan favorite no matter what, but it would be a tough pill to swallow if he can't managed to go out on his own terms.