Gary Sanchez deserves recognition for changing New York Yankees history

New York Yankees All-Star catcher Gary Sanchez made history for the franchise that deserves much more recognition than it’s currently receiving publicly. Could Sanchez become the team’s greatest catcher?

Gary Sanchez has been one of the few consistent starters for the New York Yankees this season not to fall victim to an extended time injury. He has managed to take a few small stints on the injured list and return without losing a step as a feared hitter in the middle of the lineup.

Sanchez has been the ultimate definition of the word slugger this season for the Yankees leading the team with home runs and breaking a record along the way. The interesting fact about his latest home run record (34) is that it’s his own from 2017 for most long balls in a season by a Yankees catcher. The record falls again following a season that saw Sanchez struggle with his batting average and consistency behind the pate defensively in 2018.

In an interview with New York Post reporter Howie Kussoy, Sanchez talks about the respect he has for the Yankees long history of star catchers.

"“It’s an honor, Understanding all the great catchers that this organization has had over the years, for my name to be next to those guys it’s an honor. I try to do my job and let those homers come on their own.”"

In only his first few seasons in the majors, Sanchez has established himself as a feared power hitter that can change any game’s complexion whenever he’s at the plate. The ease in which it appears he’s broken all these records has quickly overshadowed some of the well-known names he’s passed along the way.  Names such as Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, and Jorge Posada are just a few legendary catchers that have helped t build up the franchise’s iconic status over the decades.

Today’s Yankees stars have been using the home run ball more often than past generations, and Sanchez has managed to excel while catching over 100 games a season. The record is so rare from that position typically because of the toll defensively it takes on a player’s knees, and constant injuries from accidental foul balls or wild pitches have limited the offensive possibilities from others.

The records are continuing to fall for Sanchez as a Yankees catcher, but he still needs to prove he’s a winner and eventually bring home a World Series title.