Jun 25, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Joey Gallo reacts after flying out against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Houston Astros at New York Yankees
(New York, NY) — Nine different left fielders have been used by the Yankees this season, a way to familiar recurring theme over the past few years.
That was thought to have come to a head two years ago when the Yankees traded for Joey Gallo and reliever Joely Rodriguez. But it did not happen.
Instead, Gallo had a disastrous run in the Bronx, slashing just .159/.291/.238 across 140 games before getting DFA’d.
“I look back, and I’m sad about it,’’ Gallo said recently of his time in New York. “I really grew up a Yankee fan, and all I wanted to do was play for the Yankees…I think part of it, not that it was a problem, but I wanted so badly to do well there.”
Gallo is now with the Twins batting just .186 but has a solid OPS of .764 with 15 home runs and 28 RBIs in 69 games.
“I’ll probably never have a chance to play for the Yankees again,’’ Gallo said. “That was my opportunity, and now I’m known as the guy who [f–king] sucked for the Yankees. That part is tough, and I have to live with that for the rest of my career and the rest of my life, really.”
The 29-year-old is still close to several of his former teammates, including Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo, who was traded at same trade deadline as Gallo.
“I talk to those guys all the time,’’ the disgruntled outfielder said. “I’m so happy for Judge, the player and the guy.”
“I wanted to have success there, and I didn’t. You want to make people happy and the team happy, and I didn’t feel like I did that. It eats you up a little bit and over the course of my career; that’s something I’ll have to come to grips with.”
Sorry Joe – life’s not all chocolates and rainbows.
As for the Yankees? They limp into the All-Star break at 49-42 – fourth place in AL East.
