Inside The Pinstripes

WATCH: Brett Gardner Launches Grand Slam For First Hit of Spring Training

New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner hits a grand slam in a spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies. It was Gardner's first hit of the spring

Max Goodman

TAMPA — A first hit of the spring doesn't get much better than this.

With the bases loaded in the second, Brett Gardner pounced on a hanging breaking ball from Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler, depositing it over the wall in right field at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Not only did the grand slam give the Yankees an early 4-0 lead over Philadelphia, it wound up being the only run-scoring hit of the day. New York went on to win by that very score. 

"That was quite a swing," Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge said after the game. "That was an impressive swing by him, especially in a situation like that with the bases loaded and got us going today

Gardner, 37, started the spring going 0-for-3 through his first two games. This is set to be Gardner's 14th season with the Yankees after the outfielder re-signed with New York in the offseason.

Even with the relatively cold start to the season, Yankees manager Aaron Boone is happy with the kind of at-bats he's seen from the veteran thus far. He joked that this homer will give Gardner "something to talk about with the big boys" over the next few weeks.

"That'll put some wind in his sails for a couple days as far as the smack talk goes, but good at-bat. I really like the way he's looked," Boone said.

According to Statcast, Gardner's home run traveled 347 feet and flew off the lefty's bat at 96.7 mph.

The bottom of the order set the table for Gardner as Gary Sánchez and Miguel Andújar ripped back-to-back singles to right field to load the bases. 

Gardner is projected to fill one of New York's bench spots after Clint Frazier was named the Yankees' starting left fielder by manager Aaron Boone. Gardner, the longest-tenured player on this roster, can provide some outfield depth, swinging from the left side while holding it down defensively as needed. 

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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