When two sides engage in battle, there has to be one who emerges victorious. But in the case of the New York Yankees and first base, why can’t we all win?

Allison Case

The biggest question surrounding this jumpstarted New York Yankees season is whether or not the rotation holds up. No … that’s not right. Instead, the talk is surrounding which one of the first base candidates is capable of carrying this team to another championship.

After not having a consistent first baseman since the loss of Mark Teixeira, the Yankees are hoping to find luck with either Greg Bird or Luke Voit.

Nothing is wrong with a little competition but one game into the season, it’s already become pretty clear that the Yankees have a tough decision to make as the season goes on.

Both Voit and Bird blasted home runs on Opening Day, although Bird had to wade through roaring boos before his shot came in the eighth inning. Bird stuck with a hanging slider to deposit it into his own team’s bullpen.

By the end of the season, will both first baseman be on the roster? Who knows for sure. Obviously, depending on health and various other factors, either Bird or Voit could be spending some time in Scranton to prepare for a potential playoff role.

Right now, the Yankees have two capable athletes taking the field and yet, one of them is being booed while the other is worshipped for doing the same thing.

Yes, Greg Bird has much to prove before Yankees fans can fully trust him again. He is the ex-boyfriend who consistently let you down, only to weasel his way back into your life only to disappoint once again. He’s had numerous chances so naturally fans are convinced a decent start will only turn out to be a fluke.

However, both Bird and Voit are on the team right now. They both are going to be in the lineup at least until some of the Yankees return from injury. So what is the point of booing a player who is showing that he’s ready to finally help his team?

Because of his past? Because of the injuries he can’t control? Get a grip and grow up. Greg Bird is on the team and deserves just as much respect as newcomer Luke Voit.

It’s incredibly difficult to trust in Greg Bird but this spring, he was one of the top hitters on the team. He also has taken to driving the ball to the opposite field. He’s put in his own work this offseason and it has shown in his brief spring stint.

Voit is the hot hand. He stepped up in 2018 and gave the Yankee a performance they won’t soon forget. Although he’s yet another right-handed bat in a righty-heavy lineup, his bat can’t just be left out.

Both Voit and Bird are going to get playing time right now, that is a proven fact. Instead of clearly favoring one player over another, even going as far as to boo someone else, why not just enjoy that both of these guys may actually be good?

Isn’t that the goal of the season? To have a good team? If a solid combination of Voit and Bird can make the team more competitive and add even more wins, why are we pitting them against each other?

Stop trying to root for one over the other. Stop developing sides and just take the right side: the side of a winning team. Let both of these guys be successful without bringing one down just because.

The roster is set for the time being. You’ll be seeing Luke Voit in the lineup but you’ll also be seeing Greg Bird. Get over it. Cheer for both or don’t cheer at all.

Respect the boys in pinstripes, regardless of any competition.


Allison is just a girl with an enormous passion for the game of baseball and the written word. Based in Upstate New York, her life-long relationship with the New York Yankees is something that she developed through close relationships with her mother and grandfather. An aspiring sports writer, she graduated with a journalism degree and is finding places to share her excitement about the sporting world and how it affects us all.