Brett Gardner is a former American professional baseball player who spent his entire career with the New York Yankees. He was born on August 24, 1983, in Holly Hill, South Carolina. Gardner attended the College of Charleston, where he played college baseball for the Cougars.
Gardner was drafted by the New York Yankees in the third round of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft. He made his Major League debut on June 30, 2008, against the Texas Rangers. Gardner quickly established himself as a valuable player for the Yankees, known for his speed, defense, and ability to get on base.
Over the course of his career, Gardner played primarily as a left fielder and center fielder. He was a two-time All-Star, earning the honor in 2015 and 2019. Gardner won a Gold Glove Award in 2016 for his outstanding defensive play in left field.
Gardner was also known for his speed on the basepaths. He stole 270 bases over the course of his career, ranking him third on the Yankees' all-time stolen base list. Gardner was particularly effective at stealing bases early in his career, stealing 47 bases in 2010 and 49 bases in 2011.
Offensively, Gardner was a consistent performer throughout his career. He finished his career with a .259 batting average, 130 home runs, and 539 runs batted in. Gardner was particularly effective at getting on base, finishing his career with a .342 on-base percentage.
Gardner was a key member of the Yankees' teams that reached the playoffs in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2019. He played in 52 playoff games over the course of his career, hitting .259 with four home runs and 16 runs batted in.
In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Gardner was known for his leadership and work ethic. He was a respected veteran in the Yankees' clubhouse and was often praised for his professionalism and dedication to the game.
Gardner announced his retirement from baseball on January 22, 2022, after spending 14 seasons with the Yankees. He finished his career with 1,586 hits, 130 home runs, 539 runs batted in, and a .259 batting average. Gardner will be remembered as one of the most beloved and respected players in Yankees history.
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