Ellsbury Not Worried Despite Sluggish Start

Mar 9, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (22) works out prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Nothing has changed for the Yankees’ biggest off-season acquisition not named Masahiro Tanaka. Yankees’ center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury treats his approach to the game the same today as he did when he first came up with the Boston Red Sox during the 2007 World Series title run.

"I think regardless of what my contract is, I play the same way I did my first year. I do everything the same when I’m on the field. None of that other stuff matters."

Normally, a high-priced free agent coming to the Bronx might begin to wince a little bit after the team has started out 0-2, and the big gun has yet to deliver any meaningful results. But Ellsbury is coming from one of the craziest fan bases in all of sports, Red Sox Nation. Thus far, Ellsbury has felt good about his at-bats, even though they haven’t resulted in any base hits. He stole his first base as a member of the Bombers in Wednesday night’s loss to Houston. While he felt good about his first theft, he also will feel relieved when the first knock comes as well:

"It will be nice when we get all the firsts out of the way. That goes for hits and wins. It’ll happen. It’s gonna come."

Ellsbury is fully aware that Yankees’ fans are already getting a little nervous after a slow start in which the much-celebrated  and revamped lineup has yet to breakout for a huge day. He isn’t alone in his early season struggles. Mark Teixeira whiffed three times in Wednesday’s defeat, and designated hitter Alfonso Soriano, looks the most lost at the plate, having fanned twice in each of the first two games.

This group of veteran’s, especially Ellsbury, know that their time will come, and that they just need to keep plugging away, staying disciplined in their approach, and once the newness of the 2014 season wears off, this group of new Bronx Bombers can get down to business and start bludgeoning opposing pitchers as is expected.