The New York Yankees haven’t won a World Series since 2009, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t fielded competitive teams since that date. The 2017, 2019, and 2020 teams come to mind, as they were eliminated deep into October.
For the Yankees to finally win it all, they need to get over the hump. They need to take a leap in performance, and that’s what outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton said to the press on Wednesday.
The slugger, heavily criticized for his injury issues and for failing to perform when the lights are brighter, put those narratives to rest last October, when he hit six homers with 13 RBIs through the Yankees’ seven postseason games.
Stanton virtually carried the Yankees against the Indians and the Rays, and he is more than happy to keep doing it if it means the Bombers will win the Fall Classic.
“We’re tired of looking around in that locker room at the end of the year and not being where we want,†Stanton said, per MLB.com. “We know what happened last year and the year before that. We have to take that leap and get past the hump this year.â€
The Yankees had Stanton shift his training regimen
For him, it is crucial to stay healthy. The Yankees got both to take it easy with heavy lifting exercises and work more on conditioning.
In the last two years, Stanton suited up for only 41 of 222 possible games due to injuries. The change in training regimen will, hopefully, do wonders for the slugger.
“I’m just trying to be more dynamic, keep the strength as much as I can without being glued to the gym,†Stanton said. “I’m just getting outside, running around and moving around more. I’ll try to prepare a little differently, and we’ll see how we get.â€
New York Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone is talking about using Stanton in the outfield a few games, and the slugger likes the idea.
“That’ll be good in the spring, to get me out there and get me going in order to be out there during the season,†Stanton said. “Whatever the team needs.â€