Twelve years ago, Brett Gardner was sandwiched between Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano along the back wall of spring training lockers in what was then Legends Field.
Gardner had made cameo appearances the previous spring training, occasionally summoned from minor league camp, but in 2007 he was among the non-roster invitees. The College of Charleston walk-on who turned into a third-round pick in 2005 lived among the stars — Derek Jeter, Mike Mussina, Roger Clemens, Mariano Rivera, Bobby Abreu, Johnny Damon and Jason Giambi were all also in the room.
As young players used to do, Gardner kept his ears open and mouth shut.