
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 5, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) throws against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning of the American League Wildcard game at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today via Reuters
Oct 5, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) throws against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning of the American League Wildcard game at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
New York Yankees’ fans were still recovering from their team’s disappointing exit when news broke about an incident between Yankees players Gerrit Cole and Brett Gardner. The drama unfolded as an incident from the Yankees clubhouse was revealed.
Brett Gardner had pulled off a funny prank on Cole, but the star pitcher did not seem thrilled about it.
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New York Yankees’ fan reactions to the incident
Yankees suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of their arch-rivals, Boston Red Sox, in the AL Wild Card Game. One of the unexpected failures in the match was Yankees’ star pitcher Gerrit Cole. Yankees are paying a hefty $324 million amount to Gerrit, making him a pivotal part of the team.
Surprisingly, Cole just pitched in two innings when the fans thought he would be the star of the show.

USA Today via Reuters
Sep 29, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) throws a pitch against Toronto Blue Jay in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
After their loss, a dramatic incident between Cole and the longest tenure player, Yankees’ Brett Gardner, has been revealed. According to the rumor, Gardner pulled off a prank on Cole, wearing a hat with pine tar, to lighten up his mood.
Cole, whose name has been involved in the usage of foreign substances, took offense at Gardner’s antics and asked him to stop it. However, later on, Cole apologized to the Veteran player. Gardner has been part of the Yankees for more than a decade now, while Cole joined the team in 2019.

USA Today via Reuters
Sep 30, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees center fielder Brett Gardner (11) is greeted after hitting a solo home run against Toronto Blue Jays in the ninth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Fans on Twitter picked their side between the veteran and the superstar. Some Yankees’ fans trolled Cole for being disrespectful to one of the senior Yankees players, who is popularly known for his lightheartedness in the clubhouse.
I like Gerrit Cole, but I don't care how much more money he makes than Gardy. Gardy is a 15-year Yankee, a World Series Champion, and an All Star. Cole needs to put some respect on Gardy's name.
— Ben (@NYY1996BR) October 24, 2021
Brett Gardner would do this kind of stuff to jeter and CC lmao. His whole career he’s been the comedic relief for every yankee team. The new guy didn’t know that obviously. Don’t wanna be made fun of? Don’t do stupid shit, plain and simple
— Victor (@vdbnyy) October 25, 2021
I hate Brett Gardner but this just makes cole look like a baby lol https://t.co/eylAh46yNs
— Drew (@AuntieSlayer) October 25, 2021
Brett Gardner is THAT GUY pic.twitter.com/5GhSBBqU3U
— Earl (@YankeeFanEarl) October 24, 2021
me to gerrit cole: pic.twitter.com/gUGOUkBq0B
— depressed yankees fan DOG REVEAL (@ExtendCortes) October 24, 2021
Fans supporting Gerrit Cole
While some supported the veteran star, some fans were also sensitive towards Cole, who has gone through a tough time. Even Red Sox fans had trolled him during the match with foreign substances, disturbing his mental health. And, now his own teammate using a sensitive topic to prank him, might have been tough for him.
My main problem with this story is how it paints Cole as a villain for getting pissed off, which he had every right to be. It is HEAVILY biased in Gardner’s favor. Meanwhile, they both should’ve realized they were wrong and dropped it.
— Patrick Hennessy (@UnhingedPatrick) October 24, 2021
Imagine the 5th outfielder on any Yankee team making jokes about the number 1 pitcher
— Joseph (@JosephBXTrader) October 24, 2021
I LOVE Brett Gardner (my favorite player in baseball until 2020) but he was SO wrong for this https://t.co/Xo87kDRqJt
— Ethan (Lasagna4Closer) (@Lasagna4Closer) October 24, 2021
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Brett Gardner apologizing to the Yankees after getting into it with Gerrit Cole: pic.twitter.com/TCaDtLEryq
— SLAM CENTRAL STATION (@SlamCentralNYY) October 24, 2021
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There have also been speculations about their feud affecting Cole’s performance in the matches. Do you think the prank might have affected Cole on the pitch?
Also read: Are the New York Yankees Out of MLB Playoffs? When Will They Play Next?
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