With the retirement of Derek Jeter, there are questions abound surrounding the captaincy. Given their veteran laden team, the New York Yankees have lots of leadership in the clubhouse. In fact, the very next captain of the franchise may be in that locker room. Then again, he may not arrive in the Bronx until Jeter is finally enshrined in Cooperstown.
If you’re asking me though, he is, front and center. More precisely, he plays center and while he doesn’t wear two, he sports a pair of them on his back. By now, you know I’m talking about Jacoby Ellsbury.
Yes the Yanks have had guys there longer, Alex Rodriguez, Brett Gardner, CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira but Ellsbury is the guy and here’s why.
Ellsbury is a gamer and a true game changer. When the Yankees brought him in on a seven-year deal, over Robinson Cano, they essentially made a statement that this guy is the face of the franchise for the foreseeable future.
At 31, Ellsbury is about the same age Jeter was when he was named captain in 2003. Ellsbury is a tone setter and a table setter, batting in the lead-off spot. Plus, when you’re building a team, it’s important to be strong up the middle and Ellsbury provides elite talent at a premium position, as a leader of the outfield.
In his first year in Pinstripes, Ellsbury was all out hustle and grinder for New York. Statistically, Ellsbury was a leader in virtually every category that matters too. In 2014, Ellsbury ranked first on the club in games (149), hits (156), doubles (27) and stolen bases (39). Ellsbury’s power numbers were also satisfactory, with 16 home runs. As other players dropped and the Yanks fell in the standings, Ellsbury kept excelling, winning AL Player of the Week, batting .522 during the final week of August. It was his best season since nearly winning an MVP in 2011.
This is a guy that lays it all out and leaves it all out there on the field. A player that leads by example and sacrifices himself for the betterment of the club. Think Paul O’Neill with wheels. A guy that should the Yankees return to October, will make a number of clutch plays and hits along the way.
Look, I’m not saying you just hand out the captaincy with Jeter just out the door. What I am saying though is, if you’re going to hand it off eventually, Ellsbury is the guy who would take it and run with it.
