The Yankees also ranked in the top half of the league in pitcher pickoff attempts, with Stroman leading the way at 61. The Yankees successfully nabbed 13 runners this season, though injured lefty Nestor Cortes was responsible for four of them.

Witt went down a rabbit hole of Derek Jeter highlights, and the memories came rushing back. As much as anything or anyone else, it was the New York Yankees’ Hall of Fame shortstop who inspired Witt to start playing baseball as a kid.

George Brett, who spent his entire 21-year career with the Royals and is as identifiable with a single franchise as any living ballplayer, let loose an admiring sigh