Stanton stands out as a leader, even in a clubhouse full of them

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – It's Aaron Judge's clubhouse and has been for years. The appointment of “captain”, which he received before the 2023 season, only consolidated a status that had already been achieved.

Anthony Rizzo doesn't have the title, but he talks about team issues behind the scenes just as much, if not more, than Judge, in a role that could aptly be described as co-captain.

Of course, Gerrit Cole has that stature among pitchers. It's no coincidence that Cole, who took the mound on Thursday night to close out this ALDS against the Royals, has been privately referred to as the Yankees' “assistant pitching coach” almost since his first season in 2020 – no disrespect intended the man who holds the title, the popular Matt Blake.

But no one is more respected in the clubhouse than Giancarlo Stanton, and that has pretty much been the case since his first year in pinstripes in 2018.

The player affectionately known as “Big G” – and so called by just about everyone who wears a Yankees uniform – scored in Wednesday night's 3-2 victory in Game 3, in which his team won just one away from the ALCS, the biggest win of all.

Stanton went 3-for-5 with two RBIs — his teammates were 1-for-25 — and his 417-foot moonshot home run off Royals left-hander Kris Bubic in the eighth inning broke a 2-2 tie.

It's safe to say his teammates celebrated the blast more than Stanton.

“He’s just such a veteran. I think everything he does seems to be the right thing and he always says the right thing and does the right thing,” said Clarke Schmidt, who started Game 3. “He’s just a good guy to follow and you learn a lot from him.”

Stanton, the 2017 NL MVP with the Marlins, is the classic player who leads by example, one who has a work ethic – both in terms of preparing and maintaining his body – and extensive knowledge and insight into the nuances of games make him an almost revered figure among his teammates.

“He's one of those guys that you look up to in the clubhouse because he's been playing for so long and has had so much success,” rookie catcher Austin Wells said before Game 4. “He's played against so many different guys in different eras of baseball played. Having him adapt to different events throughout his career and then being able to bring his thoughts, adjustments and game plans into some of those games is very valuable.”

Wells added: “I think I saw yesterday that (Juan) Soto said he was like the second captain on the team (and) I would definitely agree with that.”

Alex Verdugo, in his first season with the Yankees, raved about Stanton both after Wednesday night's game and before Thursday night's game.

“The work ethic, just the way he goes about his business – training, nutrition, recovery. He just does everything like a pro,” Verdugo said Thursday. “He’s always around a lot of guys. For me it’s just being a great guy that people can lean on and always having some knowledge that can help you in some way.”

For the most part, Stanton speaks one-on-one, but when he chooses to speak in a group… . . To borrow the old slogan from brokerage firm EF Hutton's commercials from the late '70s to '80s: When he speaks, people listen.

“He's not the type of guy to speak up all the time, but when he does, he has some really well thought out thoughts and really good insight,” Wells said. “It was like when we got to the finish line at the end of the season, we were able to get into the playoffs and win the division. I felt like he then started to distinguish himself a bit more and share his experiences and thoughts. He adds such a valuable perspective to the game.”

Stanton, the sport's active home run leader with 429, has been a breakout hitter over his 15-year career but also performed consistently in October. He entered Thursday's game with 12 home runs, 27 RBIs and a .964 OPS in 30 career playoff games.

“He’s so good at playing in these big games. He has done it throughout his career with us. He’s just really able to focus from pitch to pitch,” Aaron Boone said. “He is a murderer. It’s remarkable, or I just admire, how well he can focus on those big moments and go to a different place mentally.”

“I think when it comes to the playoffs, he takes it to another level,” Schmidt said. “And I think there’s something to be said about players who can do that.”