The Yankees are expressing interest in a reunion with 2023 world champion left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery, a homegrown talent whom they parted away in 2022 citing his lack of championship talent. According to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, the same team is now seeking the return of the pitcher to the Bronx.
Jordan Montgomery, traded by the Yankees to the Cardinals for Harrison Bader in 2022, was part of a group of former Yankees pitchers, along with Nathan Eovaldi, Aroldis Chapman, and Ian Kennedy, who secured a World Series victory with the Texas Rangers in the postseason.
Montgomery’s revival shows Yankees made a mistake
Following his trade to the Rangers, Montgomery donned the No. 52, possibly as a tribute to his former teammate CC Sabathia. Sabathia, referring to Montgomery as his “little brother,” received a text from him after he adopted the number from the Rangers. The Yankees great was against the team trading him away in 2022.
Sabathia shared, according to Gary Philips of The New York Daily News in October, that the number might have been a remnant from the past. He mentioned that the individual texted him immediately upon receiving the number, expressing the intention to wear 52 in tribute to Sabathia’s impactful second-half performance with Milwaukee in 2008. The Yankees pitching legend noted that the person has consistently matched that number since then, and it has been a positive experience.
Monty shares similarities with Sabathia
Like Montgomery of today, Sabathia, when traded to Milwaukee at the 2008 deadline, gained renown for propelling the Brewers to the postseason, delivering an impressive 11-2 record with a 1.65 ERA in 17 starts. The Yankees great showcased a vintage pitching style, completing seven games and amassing 130 2/3 innings with Milwaukee.
In that remarkable season, Sabathia finished with a 17-10 record and a 2.70 ERA in 35 starts. He notched 251 strikeouts in 253 innings and led MLB with 10 complete games. Despite his outstanding regular season, Sabathia couldn’t replicate the performance in the postseason, and the Brewers succumbed to the Phillies in four games in the NLDS.
Montgomery’s performance differs from Sabathia’s postseason struggles, as he excelled not only in the regular season but also played a pivotal role in helping the Texas Rangers secure their inaugural World Series championship after being traded by the Cardinals.
During the 2023 season, the former Yankees pitcher achieved career highs in wins (10), ERA (3.20), strikeouts (166), and innings pitched (188.2).
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