AN OPEN LETTER TO JOE GIRARDI

Dear Joe,

So the poll WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEAD OFF is complete and Bleeding Yankee Blue readers have spoken. We want Brett Gardner to lead off for the New York Yankees this year. It just makes sense. This vote in no way is a dismissal of Derek Jeter as a great lead-off hitter. He's a God to many of us, but come on Joe, the tools of Brett Gardner make him built to be lead-off. Jeter's bat is valuable...somewhere else.

Trust me, having Brett bunting or working a walk, or getting a hit to start a game will just rally the troops behind him. He's got the speed to move around the bases even without a hit from others in the lineup and with players like Jeet, Swish, Tex, Cano, A-Rod behind him, someone's knocking him home eventually.

It's my Rickey Henderson theory of lead-off hitting. No, Gardner won't hit home runs like Rickey did, but he will work his way on and do damage with his legs. It makes sense.

And I've noticed something Joe, I noticed you have alittle twinkle in your eye when you talk about Gardner. You like the dude, you pull for him, you've been doing it for a while now, and to tell you the truth, many of us have followed your lead.In life, many don't root for the little guy in this game of ball. Many look for the big guy with the big home runs and the big hits, but Gardner deserves a shot and you should give it to him.

Grit and dedication have made him what BYB readers believe is a staple to the Yankees top of the lineup. I hope you agree. So do the right thing, make Gardy lead off. Thanks

Sincerely,

-The Mighty Casey


P.S. After you do that, let's chat about your odd attachment to Sergio Mitre. It's getting alittle freaky now, don't you agree?

Please comment and let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.