CINCINNATI – There are perks to being an All-Star beyond playing in a game with the best players in baseball and two little words in front of your name for the rest of your life. Yankees All-Star outfielder Brett Gardner experienced that on Monday at the Contemporary Arts Center.
As part of the launch of New Balance’s newest baseball cleat and an accompanying range of sneakers, Gardner had a Q&A session with kids from a YMCA camp, then got to see the smiles on their faces as he handed a fresh pair of shoes to each kid.
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Reds fans or not – and there was nobody who clapped when the crowd was asked if there were any Yankees fans present – the experience was a special one for kids who earned the opportunity to attend the event with eight weeks of good behavior at camp.
“This means a lot for the inner-city kids, because it’s showing kids that if you do the right thing, you receive rewards,” said camp counselor Duane Harmon. “It’s big to them because many of them never get to meet someone outside their lives. It’s a big issue for these kids to be able to identify with somebody who they could see on TV and see his name in the paper. It’s an excellent opportunity for the kids.”
Gardner found it to be an excellent opportunity for himself, and he smiled broadly while answering questions from the kids about how many home runs he’s hit – “10, that’s not a lot, but I’m just supposed to get on base and run around” – and whether he’s won any trophies playing baseball – he did, the 2009 World Series.
“They were all very, very excited,” Gardner said. “I don’t know that they were excited to see me, because most of them are obviously Reds fans, but they’re really excited to get their shoes and I’m thankful for them to come out today and I had a good time getting to know them a little bit and talking to them.”
Gardner then moved on to the rest of his first All-Star experience, though rain threatened Monday’s workout day and home run derby.
“I’m taking everything in,” Gardner said. “A lot of guys that I play with on the Yankees have made several All-Star teams before, and they basically just told me to slow everything down, take it in, and enjoy the whole experience. It’s a day and a half, two days, and I’m sure the time’s gonna fly by, but I’m really excited to be here.”
One of the Yankees who has been on several All-Star teams is not in Cincinnati this week: Alex Rodriguez. The DH for the American League East leaders is sixth in the Junior Circuit in OPS and 10th in at bats per home run, but could not get a nod for his 15th trip to the Midsummer Classic.
“He’s had a great year,” Gardner said. “There’s obviously other guys, whether it be Prince (Fielder) and Albert (Pujols) and other guys in the DH spot that – Nelson Cruz – guys that are having really good years. But Alex has had great numbers. Brian McCann, behind the plate for us, has had really good numbers here. Both those guys are deserving. A lot of times, guys that are deserving don’t make it. With Alex, I know he’s looking forward to the time off. We’re happy with the season we’ve had so far, and I know Alex is, too. He’s been great.”