Yankees: Russell Wilson in camp is no “stunt”

Yankees players are benefitting from the leadership and championship experience of Seattle Seahawks’ Quarterback Russell Wilson.

Wilson is benefitting from some BP fastballs to launch home runs, including one off of the batter’s eye in center field at George M. Steinbrenner Field, home of the Yankees during Spring Training.

The Yanks acquired the Super Bowl-winning quarterback on February 7 in a trade with the Texas Rangers for future considerations.

Per NJ.com, general manager Brian Cashman said at the time:

"“We’ve admired Russell’s career from afar for quite some time,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said in a statement.  “This is a unique opportunity for us to learn from an extraordinary athlete who has reached the pinnacle of his profession."

The Yankees expect to learn from the athleticism, professionalism and leadership of Wilson.

Wilson embodies the spirit of a champion, who knows how to cultivate a winning environment. It will be a unique opportunity for the young Yankees’ players, who came within one game of the World Series, to get a taste of what it takes to become the best in their sport.

While Russ is not planning a two-sport career, he is no newcomer to baseball. Wilson was drafted in the fourth round by the Colorado Rockies out of North Carolina State in 2010 and was later acquired by the Texas Rangers. He was in Spring Training with the Rangers in 2014 and 2015.

Wilson said entering camp today:

Gabe Lacques of USA Today reports that Wilson said he promised his dad he would be a Yankee one day and that it was a childhood dream of his to don the pinstripes.

He’ll be hitting, playing in the field and joining in pre-game drills while being dressed in full uniform wearing number 73. The Yanks have said Wilson won’t see any game action but will enjoy all other baseball activities.

I think Austin Romine spoke for players and fans when he said of Wilson joining the Yankees’ camp:

"“I want to see what Wilson’s got on the baseball field,” said Austin Romine, the Yankees’ No. 2 catcher behind Gary Sanchez. “That’s an athletic human being. I’m interested to see how a dude who was in the Super Bowl does in this sport. I want to see how it translates. People have no idea how hard baseball is.”More from Yankees NewsDiamondbacks outfielder’s comment on Carlos Rodón’s IG raises eyebrowsAaron Judge Time interview scared Yankees as much as it scared youWhy weren’t Yankees in on Kodai Senga now that we know the price?Baseball Reference proves Yankees’ Aaron Judge lives rent free in BostonYankees’ Clay Holmes trade just became even bigger disaster for Pirates"

And it shouldn’t take too long for fans to see what Wilson’s got — on Monday he was assigned to hit with the meat of the order, including Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gary Sanchez and Greg Bird. No pressure for the newest Yankee infielder, none at all.

Yankee players will get an opportunity to talk with and learn from the work ethic and pre-game preparation of a world-class athlete, such as Wilson.

ESPN’s Jenna Laine reported CC Sabathia’s comments on Russell Wilson:

"“It’s always fun to have a guy that’s enthusiastic about baseball, that’s a fan of the Yankees, that wants to come to camp — especially as great of an athlete as he is — I think he can offer a lot, with him being a winner and things like that. I think it will be a lot of fun. I think everybody will benefit from it. He’ll have fun and we’ll have fun too. … I’m sure he’ll have stuff that he can teach us and I’m sure some guys will have some things they can teach him to take back to his team too, so I think it works out for everybody.”"

CC Sabathia has a championship ring from the 2009 World Series, but many of these young Yankees do not. Wilson will help to broaden the Yanks’ experience of winning — of winning as a combination of individual accomplishment and teamwork to achieve and perpetuate greatness.

What are Wilson’s hopes for his time with the Yankees:

Wilson is a mirror of the perseverance and hard work it takes to achieve a dream whether that dream is playing second base for the New York Yankees or playing quarterback for the Super Bowl Champion Seahawks.

Next: Miguel Andujar with the walk off home run

Wilson is also there to remind the Yanks to have fun in Spring Training — as much fun as No. 73 had on Monday hitting homers with the Bombers into the Florida sky.