New York Yankees left field woes are not restricted to just the ongoing MLB season. For the past two seasons, the team has been trying to find a suitable and reliable left fielder. Well, they did find a solution back in 2021 when they traded Joey Gallo from Texas Rangers in exchange for four minor-league prospects. Gallo remained an All-Star that season, and hence, the Bombers thought so highly of him.
However, playing for the Yankees in New York is a different ball game altogether. The fans of Bronx are passionate and will crucify a player if he fails to perform as per expectation. Unfortunately, Joey Gallo met with the same fate as he failed to absorb the pressure. Now with Minnesota Twins, Gallo recalled his time with the Yankees and explained how it left a deep scar on his career and life.
Joey Gallo Regrets Blowing Up His One Shot To Become A Yankee For Life
Outfielder Joey Gallo always grew up a Yankee fan. Hence, when he was presented with an opportunity to play in New York, he grabbed it with both hands. Gallo had his chance to become a home hero. However, fate had its own plans. The outfielder ended up being a complete disaster trade for the Yanks. In his year-long painful stint, Gallo batted with .159 and .660 OPS. His strikeout rate soared, and his home run rate dipped. Eventually, the outfielder was traded away in 2022 to Los Angeles Dodgers, thus marking the end of his lifelong dream. Now, a year later, while recalling his time spent in New York, Gallo expressed how it feels to be a guy who sucked for the Yankees.
Joey Gallo said that he grew up a Yankee fan and desperately wanted to be good in New York. But the pressure of playing in New York in front of passionate yet brutal fans got the better of him. He said that playing at a Yankee stadium was a different ball game. He had one chance to be a Yankee hero, but he ended up blowing it. Joey added that he might never get a chance to don the pinstripes again. His image is tainted, and he will have to live with that for the rest of his career and life. On the other hand, Gallo added that he made some great friends in the clubhouse and still remains in touch with guys like Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo. Perhaps that was the only silver lining of his year-long adventure in the Bronx.
Joey Gallo Grateful To Represent Yankees Once In Life
On the flip side, Joey Gallo did take some good memories from the Yankees back with him. He said that his dream to don the pinstripes came true, and he met some great people there. He is proud to have given his everything to the team. While Gallo could not unleash his actual abilities, his intentions stayed true throughout.
Joey Gallo remains a highly talented outfielder with loads of potential. While he could now thrive with the Yankees, he continues to rebound with the Twins this season. In the first half, he has hit 15 home runs and 28 RBIs while maintaining .764 OPS. Maybe being a successful Yankee was not meant for him.