That’s the fastest white dude I’ve ever seen…
January 12, 2010, 7:00 pm by iYankees · 10 Comments
Thanks to Nick Swisher for the title.
Quick item on Brett Gardner, the Yankees’ regular left fielder come Opening Day (as of now). According to Bill James’ speed score, which is, via David Appelman (FanGraphs), “an average of Stolen Base Percentage, Frequency of Stolen Base Attempts, Percentage of Triples, and Runs Scored Percentage,” Brett Gardner was the fastest player in the game in 2009 (among those with with 250 plate appearances or more). His score of 9.2 beat out notable burners such as Michael Bourn (8.6), Jacoby Ellsbury (8.1), Rajai Davis (8.0), and Juan Pierre (7.9). While everyone knows Gardner is a fast and productive baserunner, his speed score this past season serves to further support that notion.
Speed is often an underrated offensive weapon, yet it has made somewhat of a comeback as of late, along with defense and youth, which Gardner also brings to the table. If he is given a full season of playing time in 2010, Gardner’s speed and stellar plate discipline could make him a legitimate threat at the bottom of the Yankee lineup.
Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
