As I do annually, here is the post on former VBLers in the major league playoffs, starting tonight!

  • Brett Gardner (New Market 2003) for the New York Yankees- A 13-year veteran and Joe Deck’s most favorite player in all the world, Gardner had a down year in 2021; he hit .222 with 10 home runs in 387 at-bats.
  • Ryan Yarbrough (Luray 2012) for the Tampa Bay Rays- In his fourth season in the majors, Yarbrough also had a bit of a down year; he went 9-7, 5.11 in 155 innings, along with 27 walks and 117 strikeouts.
  • Tommy La Stella (Haymarket 2009) for San Francisco- He battled injuries this season, his eighth in the majors. He hit .250/.308/.405 in 220 at-bats, with 11 doubles and seven home runs.

(Romy Gonzalez (Staunton 0216) played for the Chicago White Sox this summer but is not on the playoff roster)

  • (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
  • Yarbrough
  • La Stella