WHERE THERE'S A WILL'
Seahawks QB lives out dream in Yankees camp
TAMPA — Russell Wilson has something to say to those who believe him being in Yankees camp dressed in a uniform and taking part in fielding drills and batting practice is a publicity stunt: get to know him.
“They don’t know me,” the Super Bowl-winning Seahawks quarterback said Monday at George M. Steinbrenner Field, where he worked on double plays with Didi Gregorius and took batting practice with Gary Sanchez, Giancarlo Stanton, Greg Bird and Aaron Judge before a night game against the Phillies. “If you really know me, baseball has been part of my blood. It’s been part of who I am and where I have come from and what I have done.”
Those who believe Wilson’s presence is a stunt have ammunition since the Yankees actually allowed actor Billy Crystal to get into a spring-training game in 2008.
However, the stunt angle loses air because Wilson, likely on orders from the Seahawks, will not appear in a game so as not to run the risk of injury.
The Yankees acquired the 29year-old Wilson from the Rangers this offseason with the thought of having him mingle with their young players and share stories of success.
“This is a young team and we can get his perspective on how he works and his mindset. Things like that I think will help,” said CC Sabathia, who has met Wilson a few times. “He can help everybody. He can help me for sure.”
While the ball off Wilson’s bat at times had a different sound than others in his group, he managed to hit six out of the park in 39 pitches and drove one off the batting backdrop in center field.
“I hit some good ones out of there,” Wilson said. “It felt good. This is what I know and what I have been doing my whole life.”
Judge watched Wilson’s BP and accused him of having worked in the cage for a while.
“He is lying to me about not taking BP,” Judge said of Wilson, who addressed the players before the game and focused on how he prepares and leadership, according to manager Aaron Boone.
“The thing I am excited about the most is really learning how the Yankees won 27 world championships. What that takes, the mentality,” said Wilson, who grew up a Yankees fan, idolized Derek Jeter and has a grandfa- ther, a lawyer from New York, who dons a Yankees lid every day. “There is an aroma around here I have to figure out, and I can’t wait to learn more about it and use that for my football career.”
Wilson asked for No. 3 but settled for No. 73. He was No. 7 playing baseball in high school at Collegiate School in Virginia and he wears No. 3 for the Seahawks.
As for not playing in a game during his stay, which will be over at the end of the week, Wilson sounded like somebody who would trade a Super Bowl ring for an at-bat.
“I definitely love playing and obviously want to get out there,” Wilson said. “I also don’t want to get in the way and learn as much as I can. I am ready to go up there if they want me to. I will be ready to swing and hack away and turn some double plays. I am going to get a ton of work and immerse myself in everything they are doing.”