Yankees’ Old Timers’ Day Celebrates 2009 Team, But Brett Gardner Declines Invitation

Former Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner opts out of the team’s annual Old Timers’ Day celebration, choosing privacy over participation. The event will honor the 2009 World Series champions with appearances from Gardner’s former teammates.

Bollywood Fever: The New York Yankees are set to honor their past legends during the 76th annual Old Timers’ Day celebration on Sunday, August 25. However, former Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner will not be in attendance, marking a notable absence from the festivities.

According to a team spokesperson, Gardner did not respond to the Yankees’ invitation to the event. Additionally, the spokesperson noted that Gardner has remained unresponsive to the team since his retirement in 2021, indicating his preference to stay out of the public spotlight.

“He’s off the grid. Like, completely off the grid. Zero dark thirty,” a source told the Daily News, highlighting Gardner’s decision to maintain a low profile post-retirement.

This year’s Old Timers’ Day will pay tribute to the 2009 Yankees, celebrating the 15th anniversary of their World Series championship. 

Gardner, who was a rookie during the 2009 season, quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his grit and hustle. Throughout his 14-year career, Gardner played exclusively for the Yankees, endearing himself to the fanbase with his dedication and performance.

Despite Gardner’s absence, the event will feature appearances from several of his former teammates, including Derek Jeter, CC Sabathia, Johnny Damon, Alex Rodriguez, and Mariano Rivera. The festivities will include introductions and a Q&A session before the regularly scheduled Yankees game against the Colorado Rockies.

Yankees' Old Timers' Day Celebrates 2009 Team, But Brett Gardner Declines Invitation

Gardner’s longtime agent, Joe Bick, provided limited information regarding the former outfielder’s absence. He mentioned that Gardner plans to be at home in Holly Hill, South Carolina, on Friday, August 23, stating, “All I know is his son’s got a football game on Friday night and he intends to be there.”

Although Gardner played his final game in 2021, he has expressed a continued passion for baseball. In 2022, Bick told NJ Advance Media that Gardner still desired to play, and the Yankees had shown interest in bringing him back. However, the two parties never reached a contract agreement.

Throughout his career, Gardner earned over $88 million in salary alone, according to data from Baseball-Reference, reflecting his significant contributions to the team.

Three years after his retirement, many of Gardner’s former teammates remain with the Yankees, including captain and American League Home Run King Aaron Judge. Judge, who began his career in right field but now often plays center field—a position Gardner once held—starts each game by honoring Gardner with his signature flex during the fans’ “Roll Call” tradition.

Aaron Judge shared his thoughts on Gardner, saying, “He might not have been the guy that’s putting up 40-homer seasons or hitting .320 every single year or a [multi-time] All-Star,” in a story published on August 7, “But what this guy meant inside this clubhouse, the things he taught me about being a leader and trying to treat people with respect — even what I observed from him and how he treated people. I don’t want people to forget that.”

Brett Gardner’s absence from Old Timers’ Day underscores his personal choice to remain private, despite his significant impact and cherished memories within the Yankees organization. As the team celebrates its storied history, Gardner’s contributions during his tenure will undoubtedly be remembered and honored by fans and teammates alike.


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Eva Roberts
Eva Roberts
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