MILWAUKEE — Gary Sanchez is two-plus years and five organizations removed from being a Yankee.
But the catcher still speaks fondly of his roller-coaster tenure in The Bronx, going from a big-time prospect who burst onto the scene in 2016 and made a pair of All-Star Games before enduring some struggles, falling out of favor by the 2020 and 2021 playoffs and then being traded to the Twins during spring training of 2022.
“There’s always good memories with the Yankees,” Sanchez, now a backup catcher and part-time DH with the Brewers, said through an interpreter Saturday afternoon before the Yankees’ 15-3 win over his new team at American Family Field. “The playoffs are ones you certainly always remember, but with the Yankees, it felt like you played 162 playoff games there. Every game, you’re out there to win and you feel it. You feel everyone’s out there trying to accomplish the same mission. It really does feel like 162 playoff games there.”
The 31-year-old Sanchez, who went 1-for-4 Saturday with an RBI double, has spent the last two years bouncing between the Twins, Giants (their Triple-A affiliate), Mets, Padres and Brewers.
The closest he has gotten to rediscovering his prime Yankees days was last season with the Padres when he hit 19 home runs with a .792 OPS across 72 games in a near-everyday role before fracturing his wrist in early September.
In February, Sanchez signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Brewers, with the potential to earn more depending on the condition of his wrist.
Entering Saturday, he had started just four games at catcher behind William Contreras but had started an additional six at DH through the Brewers’ first 25 games.
“It hasn’t been like previously in my career where it’s more playing every day,” Sanchez said. “But they’ve given me chances and opportunities. Thanks to God, I’ve been able to help contribute to some wins.”
That included Friday night against the Yankees when Sanchez led off the sixth inning with a double against Luis Gil and came around to score the tying run on the way to the Brewers’ 7-6 win in 11 innings.
While Sanchez is now across the way, the Yankees have a new young catcher trying to establish himself in Austin Wells.
Sanchez shared some interesting insight when asked what advice he would give Wells.
“That he stays focused on his plan and the plan they have for him over there,” Sanchez said. “Hopefully, he can find a mental way to relax because I think I know just as well as anybody, especially with the fans in New York, the anxious feelings that come with it, the pressure. I know what that feels like. So finding a way to stay focused on what you’re doing, trusting your plan and trust the plan that they have for you. It’s a long season of 162 games, so just be able to trust in what you’re doing.”
Sanchez still has some pop, with three of his eight hits this season going for home runs.
The latest came Thursday against former Yankees teammate Aroldis Chapman, getting his bat on a 102-mph fastball that was running off the plate and drilling it for a go-ahead, two-run homer.
“It’s an uncomfortable at-bat against Chapman,” Sanchez said. “He’s still the same guy throwing 101, 102. To be honest, it kind of surprised me a little bit making contact there, but sometimes the ball just finds the barrel.”
Manager Aaron Boone, who called Sanchez’s home run off Chapman “pretty impressive,” reiterated his admiration for the catcher.
“Gary’s just someone I have a ton of respect for, for how much he cares about the game and how much he cares about his craft,” Boone said. “He always worked really hard at all of it and takes a lot of pride in all of it. I don’t know that I’ve seen much change other than him continuing to work really hard and get better in all facets. … He’s always working and trying to evolve to be great at his craft.”