Virtual Off-Day: Hicks Set to Return. Mother of Mercy, Could This Be the End of Gardy?

The Virtual New York Yankees have reached the halfway mark of the virtual 2020 season on an 11-game winning streak.  The V-Yanks are 56-25, on pace to win 112 games, the second-most in their regular-season history—but are still 3 lengths behind the pitching-mad, TB Rays.

Is it possible for the Yankees to get any better?

Well, we may soon find out, as the club prepares to welcome back the thoroughly rehabbed, souped-up, gooped-down Aaron Hicks, who is expected to play in the team's upcoming series against the Pale Hose.  And with the return of Hicks, it is likely that Brett Gardner, a veritable Yankees institution, will take one more step toward the end of his time in pinstripes.

Yanks GM Brian Cashman—as best as can be discerned from statements he has issued through his elaborate, Eagle-Attack Prevention Headgear—says that the club has no immediate plans to move the beloved Gardy.

But with Miguel Andujar, Mike Tauchman, and Clint Frazier already crowding the outfield and all playing well, the future is uncertain at best for the Yanks' baldest, beloved Brett.

Thus far, Gardy has been able to claim additional playing time thanks to his superior glove and arm.
But with Hicks, another natural centerfielder returning, that time may be greatly diminished.  And the return of either Aaron Judge or Giancarlo Stanton would likely leave Gardner with no place to go but out.

It has been an up-and-down year for Gardy.  While he has once again displayed some real power, bashing 11 home runs already, he is hitting only .183 on the season, and has clearly lost another step in the field and on the bases.

What's more, MLB's new anti-cheating rule has prevented anyone from banging on anything with a bat, leaving the frustrated Gardner to sit in the dugout simulating such action, jerking his cupped hands up and down in front of him, over and over again, as if rubbing some imaginary rod.

Mothers at the Stadium have complained about the motion.

Is this the end of the Yankee Banger?  Not so fast.  Let's see how Aaron "The Oft-Injured" Hicks holds up first.