For 28 long years, Gerrit Cole chased his dream of being the ace of the New York Yankees, a coveted position in baseball. But now that he’s reached the pinnacle, there’s an undeniable sense of isolation amidst all the glamour. As he gears up to start Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians, Cole acknowledges that being the ace in the Big Apple is perhaps the toughest role in Major League Baseball.
Cole, a 32-year-old native of California, willingly embraced the pressure when he signed a colossal nine-year, $324 million contract before the 2020 season, making him the Yankees’ top starter.
“I think it’s the hardest job in the league, I don’t think there’s a harder place to be the ace. I think it’s the most hunted job in the league, and I think it comes with the most weight. The division is a challenging one. Above all else, I’m paid to keep us in the game as long as I can and take the ball every single time I can and charge straight into the fire.” : Cole candidly shared with Lindsey Adler of The Athletic.
He’s largely met the lofty expectations, amassing a 3.28 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with 594 strikeouts in 455 innings across 75 starts for New York. Cole noted that he could have chosen to play anywhere, even closer to his home, where he could be “grilling burgers and drinking beer and gambling on football games” with the Los Angeles Angels. But the allure of the Yankees’ demanding environment drew him in.
Gerrit Cole on being the ace of the Yankees:
“I think it’s the hardest job in the league,” Cole says. “I don’t think there’s a harder place to be the ace. I think it’s the most hunted job in the league and I think it comes with the most weight. The division is a f*cking…
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“Yeah, but once you play here, it’s like, who gives a damn about the rest of the league?” remarked the five-time All-Star. “The level of commitment to winning here is unmatched across the league.”
He further added, “I like a challenge, I suppose. But just because I enjoy the toughness doesn’t mean it’s not tough.”
For the Yankees, it’s championship or nothing every year, with their 27 World Series titles setting a standard that surpasses any other MLB franchise by a significant margin. This unyielding expectation remains, even in an era when teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets boast the highest payrolls. Although the Yankees clinched the AL East with a 99-63 record this year, that achievement will pale in comparison if they don’t translate it into postseason triumph.
“Every game you pitch during the regular season is an opportunity to refine your process and your approach so that it becomes second nature in situations like this,” Cole emphasized to Adler.
Game 1 between the Yankees and Guardians is scheduled for a 7:37 p.m. ET start on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium, with TBS providing television coverage.
