New York Yankees: Mark Teixeira Really Likes Greg Bird

New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird has a big fan in the recently retired Mark Teixeira.

The New York Yankees will have some big shoes to fill at first base in 2017. Mark Teixeira had manned the spot since 2009 when he signed with the Yankees as a free agent. He was the unquestioned everyday starter at first base since, but he announced his retirement this past season.

It will be the first time in nine seasons that the Yankees will be turning the everyday job at first base over to someone that isn’t Teixeira. One of the players who will be given a shot at replacing Teixeira this season is Greg Bird.

Bird missed the entire 2016 season as he underwent shoulder surgery in the spring and rehabbed afterward. He has been healthy enough to play in the Arizona Fall League, trying to shake some of the rust from missing a whole season.

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Bird is one of the many pieces the Yankees have put together in their most recent youth movement. He got a taste of the big leagues in 2015 when he helped fill the hole left by an injured Teixeira. That was the first time Teixeria got a good look at Bird playing, and he has been a big fan ever since.

“I am a big fan of Greg Bird. What he proved in the 2015 season, coming in and really performing at a high level, we know the talent is there,” Teixeira said at the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center earlier this week. “I loved the way he handled himself in the clubhouse, and I love the way he handled himself with the media. He has everything it takes.”

Bird was a big reason the Yankees were able to make the postseason in 2015 following Teixeria’s season-ending leg injury. He took over as the starting first baseman, slashing .261/.343/.529 in 157 at-bats. He swatted 11 home runs along with 31 RBI in 43 games for a successful debut.

Bird could once again be the everyday first baseman for the Yankees in 2017. It will be more a full year since he last played at the major league level, and Teixeria has some advice for the 24-year old upon returning.

"“He’s coming off a major shoulder surgery, so he might be a little rusty, and I would just tell him, ‘Listen, you’re not going to hit your 30 home runs in April,'” Teixeira said. “I went through it as much as anybody, and I know you’re going to have ups and downs, but everything is there for Greg Bird, and the experience of playing in Yankee Stadium already is going to be a huge asset for him moving forward.”"

Unfortunately, Teixeira knows a bit about battling injuries. He hasn’t played in more than 123 games since 2011 after playing in at least 132 games the first nine years of his career. Teixeira had plenty of experiences during his 14-year career, and he is more than willing to help and give advice to anyone that asks; just don’t expect him to be at Spring Training doing it.

“The last thing I want to do right now is go to Spring Training and hang out, but everybody has my phone number. If a guy like Birdie or anybody wants to call me, I’d love to help out anybody,” Teixeira said.

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It is nice to hear that Teixeira is so willing to help out the younger players on the Yankees. The team is counting on Bird to be productive and fill some big shoes this season, so getting advice from someone as good as Teixeira was can’t hurt. It must also be nice to hear a successful veteran speak so highly about your abilities on the field.

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