Career Timeline of Brett Gardner: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Brett Gardner, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Brett Gardner is a former American professional baseball outfielder. He played his entire 14-year MLB career with the New York Yankees. Known for his speed, defensive skills, and on-base ability, Gardner was a consistent presence in the Yankees' lineup. He contributed to the Yankees' 2009 World Series championship. A fan favorite, he was valued for his hustle and dedication to the team.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2001: Walk-on Tryouts at College of Charleston

In 2001, Brett Gardner attended walk-on tryouts for the baseball team at the College of Charleston.

2004: Batting Average of .397

In 2004, during his junior year at the College of Charleston, Brett Gardner had a .397 batting average, but was not selected in the MLB draft that year.

2005: Drafted by Yankees and Received Signing Bonus

After his senior year in college, in 2005 the New York Yankees selected Brett Gardner in the third round of the Major League Baseball draft, and he received a $210,000 signing bonus.

2005: 2005 Season Ranking

During the 2005 New York-Penn League season, Brett Gardner ranked 268th in at bats (with 282), 54th in runs (62), and 78th in stolen bases (19).

2005: Drafted by the Yankees

In 2005, Brett Gardner was selected by the New York Yankees in the third round of the MLB draft.

2005: Senior Year Batting Average of .447

In 2005, Brett Gardner's senior year, he batted .447, tied for the most hits in college baseball with 122, established a Cougars record with 85 runs scored, and led the Southern Conference with 38 stolen bases.

2006: Florida State League All-Star

In 2006, Brett Gardner was a Florida State League All-Star, batting .323 in 63 games with 22 runs batted in (RBIs) with the Tampa Yankees. He was third in the Florida State League in batting average and led the league in stolen bases with 30. Gardner was also second in the league in walks with 47.

2007: Played for Trenton Thunder and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees

In 2007, Brett Gardner played 54 games for the Double-A Trenton Thunder, where he stole 18 bases in 203 at bats and batted .300. He was then promoted to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, where he batted .260 and stole 21 bases in 45 games.

2007: Arizona Fall League Performance

In the fall of 2007, Brett Gardner played in 26 games in the Arizona Fall League, leading the league in runs (27) and stolen bases (16). He batted .343 and had a .433 OBP. He was also named the 12th-best prospect in the Yankees minor league system.

June 30, 2008: Major League Debut

On June 30, 2008, Brett Gardner was called up to the major leagues and made his debut, going 0-for-3 and grounding into a triple play.

July 26, 2008: Optioned Back to AAA

On July 26, 2008, Brett Gardner was optioned back to AAA after the acquisition of Xavier Nady.

September 21, 2008: Scored Final Run at Yankee Stadium

On September 21, 2008, Brett Gardner scored the final run of Major League Baseball in Yankee Stadium history as a pinch runner for Jason Giambi.

2008: MLB Debut with Yankees

In 2008, Brett Gardner made his Major League Baseball debut with the New York Yankees.

2008: Performance for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

In 2008, playing for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Brett Gardner was second in the International League with a .414 on-base percentage, 70 walks, and 11 triples. He was also sixth in the league with 37 stolen bases.

2008: Minor League Stats Through 2008

Through 2008, Brett Gardner had a .291 batting average and a .389 OBP in the minor leagues. He had stolen 153 bases with an 83% success rate.

2009: Starting Center Fielder and World Series Appearance

In 2009, Brett Gardner was named the Yankees' starting center fielder for Opening Day. He played 108 games and appeared in all but one of the Yankees postseason games, starting the final two games of the World Series, which the team won.

2010: On-Base Percentage

Brett Gardner's on-base percentage in 2016 was .351, his highest in a full season since 2010.

2010: Starting Left Fielder and Fielding Bible Award

In 2010, Brett Gardner became the Yankees' starting left fielder and finished the season with a .277 batting average and 47 stolen bases. He also won the Fielding Bible Award as the best defensive left fielder in MLB.

2011: Lowest Career Mark

Brett Gardner's .713 OPS in 2016 was tied with 2011 for his lowest career mark in a full season.

2011: Tied for Lead in Stolen Bases and Won Fielding Bible Award

In 2011, Brett Gardner finished the season tied for first in the American League in stolen bases with Coco Crisp, each having 49. Gardner also won his second consecutive Fielding Bible Award.

2011: Varied Position in Batting Order

In 2011, Brett Gardner started the season hitting leadoff for the Yankees but was later demoted. He returned to the top of the order after Jeter's injury and periodically shared the role with Jeter after his return.

2012: Contract Agreement and Elbow Injury

In 2012, Brett Gardner and the Yankees agreed on a $2.8 million contract. Gardner also experienced an elbow injury and underwent right elbow surgery on July 24 to remove a bone spur and inflamed tissue. He was reactivated on September 25.

August 11, 2013: First Career Walk-Off Home Run

On August 11, 2013, Brett Gardner hit his first career walk-off home run against the Detroit Tigers.

2013: Moved to Center Field and Named AL Player of the Week

In 2013, Brett Gardner was moved to center field due to Curtis Granderson's injury. For the week of June 2–9, Gardner was named the AL Player of the Week.

February 23, 2014: Contract Extension with Yankees

On February 23, 2014, the Yankees and Brett Gardner agreed to a four-year, $52 million extension, beginning in 2015.

April 23, 2014: First Career Start at Right Field

On April 23, 2014, Brett Gardner made his first career start at right field.

July 28, 2014: First Career Multi-Homer Game

On July 28, 2014, Brett Gardner recorded his first career multi-homer game against the Texas Rangers.

2015: Hitting Statistics

In 2015, Brett Gardner batted .259 with 16 home runs, 66 RBI, and 20 stolen bases.

2015: Contract Extension Commences

In 2015, Brett Gardner's four-year, $52 million contract extension with the Yankees began.

2016: Moved to Leadoff Spot and Won Gold Glove Award

In 2016, Brett Gardner was moved into the Yankees' leadoff spot midseason. He won the Gold Glove Award for American League left fielders.

October 31, 2018: Yankees decline option, re-sign Gardner

On October 31, 2018, the Yankees declined Brett Gardner's $12.5 million option for 2019. Instead, they re-signed him to a one-year, $7.5 million contract for the 2019 season.

April 17, 2019: 100th career home run

On April 17, 2019, Brett Gardner hit his 100th career home run, a grand slam off Ryan Brasier, giving the Yankees a 5–3 lead over the Boston Red Sox, which ended up being the game-winning hit. He became one of two players in Yankees history to hit at least 100 home runs and steal at least 250 bases.

October 29, 2020: Yankees decline 2021 option

On October 29, 2020, the Yankees declined their 2021 $10 million option on Brett Gardner, making him a free agent.

February 23, 2021: Signs one-year contract with Yankees

On February 23, 2021, Brett Gardner signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Yankees, which included an option for 2022.

October 2022: Offer from the Blue Jays

In October 2022 a New Jersey paper reported that Brett Gardner had received a $6M offer from the Toronto Blue Jays but preferred to have returned to the Yankees.