Yankees
Gerrit Cole addresses reporters at the All-Star Game’s media availability. MLB Photos via Getty Images
Up next
Author

The 2023 season was tough on the New York Yankees. While the pressure took down many players, only a few managed to rise above it. Captain and star slugger Aaron Judge, along with ace starting pitcher Gerrit Cole, emerged as the only positives of the season for the Bronx Bombers. Cole, in particular, was outstanding.

Gerrit Cole felt the lack of support during the entire 162-game stretch. While his team crumbled, Cole turned up on the mound every fifth day to hand the Yankees a shot at victory. And he delivered as promised. Gerrit Cole finished the season by topping every pitching-related chart of the American League. Unsurprisingly, the ace was rewarded for his resilience during the off-season.

   

Gerrit Cole Wins Players’ Choice Award For 2023 AL Outstanding Pitcher

Gerrit Cole
Gerrit Cole tips his cap to a standing ovation from the Yankees crowd after pitching 8 innings. via X NYY

In a season where the New York Yankees were eliminated from the playoff race, ace starting pitcher Gerrit Cole delivered a CY Young-worthy season. He finished the year with a 2.63 ERA and 222 strikeouts across 33 starts and went for 15-4 simultaneously. Cole led America in the lowest ERA, highest numbers of strikeouts, innings pitched, and many more stats. While Cole awaits his maiden CY Young Award, his colleagues have added a feather to his cap. Yanks’ ace won the Players Choice award of the American League Outstanding Pitcher for the year. Players across the league voted for their favorite pitchers of the season. And in AL, Cole emerged as the ultimate favorite.

Meanwhile, a few players joined the celebration and sent a heartwarming video message to congratulate Gerrit Cole on the award. The group featured Cubs slugger Cody Bellinger, Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, Marcus Semien, Blake Snell, and many others, including Cole. The Yankees ace thanked his colleagues for the wonderful gesture and explained why it’s special. Cole feels that people who vote for this award are baseball players who have the experience of the grind. They are like-minded people who understand what it takes to stay at the top. Thus, this award means a lot to him, and he will hold it a little closer to his heart. Ultimately, in a world where sports rivalries often take center stage, moments like these stand out as heartwarming reminders of the human side of the athletes.

Two Yankees Make Cut For The 2023 Silver Slugger Award!

Yankees
and Gleyber Torres high-five after Judge’s home run. Twitter NYY

In a season where offensive lackluster doomed the New York Yankees, a couple of Yankee sluggers managed to stay in contention for the Silver Slugger Award. Captain Aaron Judge and second baseman Gleyber Torres have been announced as finalists for the esteemed honor. Both of them will compete in their respective position category, and the winners will be announced on November 9.

Aaron Judge, who featured in just over 100 games this season due to a freak toe injury, topped the Yankees offensive charts. He posted yet another MVP-worthy season for the second time in a row. Gleyber Torres, on the other hand, absorbed trade pressure to record one of the best offensive seasons of his career. He finished only second to Judge in the Yanks home run tally. Also, Torres was the only Yankee after his captain to cross the 30-home run mark.