MILWAUKEE — Gary Sanchez has been removed from the Yankees by five organizations for more than two years.
But the catcher still speaks fondly of his roller coaster days in the Bronx. He was a big-time prospect who broke out in 2016 and appeared in the All-Star Game twice, but he struggled and fell out of favor in the Bronx. He will be traded to the Twins during 2022 spring training after the 2020 and 2021 playoffs.
“I always have fond memories of the Yankees,” Sanchez, now a backup catcher and part-time DH for the Brewers, said through an interpreter Saturday afternoon before the Yankees’ 15-3 victory over his new team at American Family Field. Told. “The playoffs are always memorable, for sure, but it felt like I played 162 playoff games with the Yankees. Every game, you’re fighting to win and you feel it. Everybody’s the same. I feel like we’re on a mission. It really feels like we’re playing 162 games in the playoffs.”
Sanchez, 31, who went 1-for-4 with an RBI double on Saturday, has bounced around between the Twins, Giants (Triple-A affiliate), Mets, Padres and Brewers over the past two years.
The closest he came to rediscovering his Yankees heyday was last season with the Padres, where he hit 19 home runs and had a .792 OPS in 72 games almost every day before breaking his wrist in early September. did.
Sanchez signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Brewers in February, but could earn more depending on the condition of his wrist.
Entering Saturday, he had started just four games as a catcher behind William Contreras, but had started six more at DH through the Brewers’ first 25 games.
“I’ve never played more every day in my career,” Sanchez said. “But they gave me chances and opportunities. Thanks to God, I was able to contribute to some victories.”
That included Friday night’s game against the Yankees, when Sanchez led off with a double against Luis Gil in the top of the sixth inning, then hit a come-from-behind single to tie the game, and in the 11th inning, the Brewers were up 7-6. I won.
While Sanchez has left the team, the Yankees have a new young catcher looking to establish himself in Austin Wells.
Asked what advice he would give Wells, Sanchez offered some interesting insight.
“It’s about him staying focused on his plan and the plan they have over there,” Sanchez said. “Hopefully he can find a way to relax mentally, because I know better than anyone the anxiety and pressure that comes with that, especially with the New York fans. Because I think, I know what that feels like. So, trust your plan, trust the plan they have for you, and find a way to stay focused on what you’re doing. It’s a long season, 162 games, so believe in what you’re doing.”
Sanchez still has pop, with three of his eight hits this season being home runs.
The most recent was Thursday against former Yankees teammate Aroldis Chapman, when he used his bat to catch a 162 mph fastball that came off the plate and hit a leadoff two-run home run.
“The at-bat against Chapman was unpleasant,” Sanchez said. “He’s the same guy that throws 101, 102. I was a little surprised he made contact there, to be honest, but sometimes the ball finds the barrel.”
Manager Aaron Boone reiterated his praise for the catcher, calling Sanchez’s home run off Chapman “pretty impressive.”
“Gary is someone I really respect in terms of how much he cares about the game and how much he values his craft,” Boone said. “He always takes everything seriously and takes great pride in everything he does. I don’t know that much has changed other than he continues to work hard and get better in every way.” He’s always trying to push himself and evolve to become better at his craft.”
