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#Brett Gardner doesn’t want Yankees tenure to end like this

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Brett Gardner doesn’t want Yankees tenure to end like this

Brett Gardner isn’t ready for the ride to end. Not without one more roll call.

Nearing the end of the improbable journey that has seen a former College of Charleston walk-on morph into the longest-tenured player on the Yankees — the final remaining piece of the 2009 championship team — the 37-year-old Gardner said Friday he hopes to return in 2021 for his 14th season in pinstripes, for his 13th season in front of the people who have made The Bronx feel like home.

“I definitely don’t want my last games played to be in front of no fans, and obviously would love to have my family have the chance to see me play again,” Gardner said who did not play in the Yankees’ 6-5, 12-inning win over the Red Sox on Friday night. “I just know that the last few months playing in front of no fans — my family can watch on TV and see me play, but it’s not the same as in-person — I’d love that opportunity to do that again next year. I feel great and I feel like I can still do it. We’ll see what happens in a few months, but right now I’m just focused on this team and trying to go into the playoffs strong and try and win a World Series.”

The decision to return doesn’t just belong to Gardner, though.

Following a 2019 season in which Gardner hit a career-high 28 home runs and posted an .829 OPS, the veteran signed a one-year, $12.5 million deal to stay with the Yankees. But the homegrown talent — drafted in 2005 — has provided less incentive to bring him back to an already-crowded outfield, having recorded a career-worst .198 batting average through 42 games this season.

The Yankees have a $10 million option to bring back Gardner next season, with a $2.5 million buyout.

“I feel great. I feel healthy and strong,” Gardner said. “I know that this season hasn’t gone maybe how I’ve wanted from a numbers standpoint, but recently I have been better and felt much better, and hopefully continue to play well down the stretch.

“I would love to play next year, but I’m really not too concerned about it. Just continue to focus on this group of guys and this season and let all of that take care of itself in the offseason.”

The frustration of this season will continue until the offseason.

Though players have the option to bring family into the MLB postseason bubble, Gardner’s wife and two sons will remain at home, where the outfielder believes he should be, too, like he has been all season.

“My kids are back home and in school and things are pretty normal there. I feel like the whole bubble situation makes it very difficult for guys’ families to come do that and be a part of things, unfortunately, with where we’re at,” Gardner said. “I understand the thought behind it. I’m not happy about it for those reasons and other reasons. I think our guys have done a great job over the last few months following all the protocols and being very smart, haven’t had any issues and I don’t see any reason we shouldn’t be able to continue doing that over the next six weeks, but the rules are what they are. … It’s been a frustrating year for me and for a whole lot of other people for a whole lot of reasons.”