The title is a pretty straight-forward question, just how
underrated is the Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius? I’m not talking about just
on the field either, I’m talking about off the field as well. How damn lucky
did the New York Yankees get when they made that trade with the Arizona
Diamondbacks and the Detroit Tigers a few seasons back bringing Gregorius to
the Bronx? Do they even know how lucky they are with the acquisition? If the
organization doesn’t they will after they get done reading this post I assure
you.
Let’s start with what is quantifiable, the on-the-field
version of Sir Didi. Gregorius is having another great season here in the Bronx
for the Yankees and no one can notice because of the monster home run after
monster home run from Aaron Judge this season. Quietly Didi has knocked Yankees
great and former captain Derek Jeter from the Yankees record books here in 2017
with his 25th home run of the season, most ever by a Yankees
shortstop in a single season. Didi has always been an absolute wizard
defensively and is slowing showing more and more power with every passing
season with the Yankees making him one of the most valuable assets that New
York has every single game. Imagine if Didi hadn’t missed the first three weeks
of the season with a shoulder injury, he may have 30 home runs, 100 RBI and
still be pushing an on-base plus slugging over .800. If it weren’t for Judge
the Yankees shortstop would be their MVP here in 2017, and it wouldn’t be much
of a discussion.
Off the field the Yankees shortstop runs a charity and
organization called DIDIsDEEDs helping those in need and generally doing good
deeds around New York City as the name implies. Didi has been seen handing out
free tickets to Yankees games on the subway and even in the CN Tower this
season as a part of DIDIsDEEDs meaning the left-hander fits the mold of a
Yankee off the field as well. Looking for your next Yankees captain, Didi may
fit the mold. I know he didn’t come through the system and I know the
captain-ship would be handed to Judge or Brett Gardner first but I’m just
saying that Didi wouldn’t be a bad choice for the job either. Didi bleeds
Yankees pinstripes and represents the team and the organization very well, on
and off the field.
Didi for Captain, 2018. Flame me below in the comments
section.
