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
He is very fast but, so was Bernie Williams…it’s the 1st step and reading the pitcher and catcher that makes a difference most of the time. Once Brett learns the pitchers better he will not steal on speed alone. Jeter and A-Rod steal bases and nether one is near as fast as Brett.
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ARod actually steals most of his bases by going on first move. In other words, he just takes off when the pitcher starts his delivery and is gambling that they aren’t throwing over.
It appears to be a solid strategy for him, and when you do that if the pitcher doesn’t throw over, you are almost always going to get the SB. The jump ends up being too big for the catcher to have any chance to throw you out.
It’s not really relevant to Gardner, since he doesn’t have to take this gamble with his speed.
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Gardner’s speed eats up Bernie’s even in his prime IMO.
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Bernie? Vs Gardner? It’s not even close.
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Gardner wins in 40 yard.
Bernie wins in 100 .
Question in the 60.
Two different kinds of runners.Short and quick long and fast.Before baseball there was talk of Bernie as a sprinter in olympics,Bernie at one time had world class speed.
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I didn’t see Bernie in his prime. I’ll take your word for it. The Bernie I saw , I would take Gardy first to third.
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Love speed at the top and the bottom.You don’t need speed scores on Gardner just use your eyes,he’s not just the fastest white guy might be fastest guy in baseball and if not fastest definetly the quickest.
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Who wouldn’t pay to see a foot race between Michael Bourn, Jacoby Ellsbury, Rajai Davis, Chris Johnson of the Titans and Usain Bolt? Bolt would win but the battle for 2nd place would be spectacularly close!
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I’m glad someone else said it but me and my friends have been calling Gardner the fastest white guy we have ever seen since his call up, it’s like the guy doesn’t know he should be slower than everyone else.
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