thelesterlee
Aaron Judge went into the 2022 season on the final year of his contract. He then hit the most home runs in American League history and won the MVP Award. Greatest contract year ever.
Gleyber Torres went into 2024 on the final year of his contract and within the first two weeks of the season, he was dropped in the lineup because he could not hit baseballs and defensively, Torres was dogshit.
But around the end of June, Gleyber suddenly recovered his swing and his swag.
From June 28 to Aug. 15, Torres hit .279/.340/.382 in 25 games and was returned to his rightful spot at the top of the Yankees batting order.
In the Yankees 6-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians to go up 2-0 in the ALCS, Gleyber went 3-for-5 and scored twice.
Gleyber picks up a leadoff single for his 3rd hit of the night! pic.twitter.com/ARjN7zXnuD
— Talkin’ Yanks (@TalkinYanks) October 16, 2024
Here is Gleyber’s explanation for his sudden second-half resurgence:
“During the [All-Star] break, I went to Tampa. I have a small facility there in Tampa I own with Gio Urshela, and also we own with people we’ve known for a long time, and basically he knows my swing and everything like that. When I struggle, I just go there, try to fix everything. Basically, I don’t rest much and just hit every day, and try to fix a couple of my swings and try to feel confidence.”
Gley Torres was saved by the power of friendship. He and Gio Urshela had a boys weekend together—fixing his swing and passing around the Casamigos. Dudes rock.
If the Yankees win the World Series, you have to thank former Yankee, Gio Urshela, for knowing Gleyber’s swing so well and helping restore the vibes.
Torres was one of my favorite Yankees of all time. He came over from Chicago at 21 years old and immediately made an All-Star team in his rookie season. He was robbed of the AL Rookie of the Year Award but I suppose Shohei Ohtani has had a decent career.
He came back the following season and smashed 38 bombs and looked like a crucial pillar for the Yankees future along with Aaron Judge and, ya know, some other guys who ended up not being as good. I still love you, Gary Sanchez.
For most of this season, I feared Gleyber would join the long list of prospects the Yankees couldn’t develop along with Greg Bird and Chance Adams and Miguel Andujar.
Gleyber Torres finds the short porch for a go-ahead home run! pic.twitter.com/Lp1bJHXaS1
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 5, 2024
But Gio Urshela got my baby boy right.
I have no idea if the Yankees plan on bringing him back. I honestly doubt it. But wherever he ends up next season, Gleyber is getting a BAG and will be in the 2025 MVP discussion.
Either way, I will see you all at the Yankees World Series parade in a few weeks. I’ll be the one wearing a Shelly Duncan jersey while beating the life out of a Mookie Betts pinata.
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