 It took a little time last year since he was injured when the Yankees acquired him, but once he debuted with the club, Bader quickly became a fan favorite. And as we continue on Yankees Hot Stove, here's an interview he recently did with our Meredith Marokovits. Harrison, there's about a month until Pitcher's and Catcher's reports spring training right around the corner. Did this off season fly for you? You know, it really didn't. I think that's because I get to stay home and, you know, be surrounded by my friends and family, you know, working out at the stadium, pretty local for me. So I felt like I never really left. So I've kind of been here for a while, but like you said, I mean, spring training is right on the corner for Pitcher and Catcher's month away. So just an exciting time. And yeah, it's been a lot of fun. You mentioned being home. You grew up in New York. What was it like walking around the streets this off season, coming off some time with the Yankees? I mean, yeah, a little different. You know, obviously, I've always said in New York, takes care of New York. So, you know, getting a chance to play for a New York franchise is incredible. You know, the fan basis is in addition to being, you know, super supportive, they know their athletes. So, you know, definitely a little more love walking around New York. But, you know, it's all in good fun. You know, I noticed, you know, Yankee has so much more, which is funny because, you know, obviously being here all the time, but you just, now that you're part of, you know, the Yankees organization, you just kind of notice those things a lot more. So it's been a really fun off season. Do you enjoy that aspect, really soaking it all in, seeing those Yankees hats, people coming up to you and talking to you about being on the team? Yeah, I do. You know, you get to play with a short window. You get to be surrounded by, you know, some incredible talent for a really short window and to be a part of, you know, winning teams, to be surrounded by winning players. I mean, you got to soak it up to some point, it's going to come to an end. So, you know, for example, this off season, obviously announcing Judgie as the captain, I mean, that just created a different energy in the streets in New York, whether you're at a restaurant, whether you're just walking, you know, anywhere. You know, Yankees fans know we have our captain, you know, in pin tribes, which we haven't had obviously in some years. So, you know, it's all part of it. And to just kind of be a part of that is great. And I love talking about Judgie being captain. I love talking about Yankees. I love talking about expectations for the upcoming year. So it's all, it's all on good fun. I love it. It's, you know, it's what we do. There was a period of time where Yankees fans were concerned, Harrison. They did not know if 99 was going to be in pin stripes. Were you on the edge of your seat as well as that was all going down to see exactly where he would land? Or were you pretty confident that he would be back? I thought he was checking Twitter, talking to some teammates for sure. But, you know, listen, he, he had such an incredible showing, you know, his journey as happy as I am for it, obviously to end in pin tribes and to kind of, you know, it's a new chapter, I guess, if you will, with his career. But you know, his journey is his journey. And regardless of, you know, what team he ended up with, you just have to respect it. Ultimately, getting to a point where, you know, you hear that it is kind of finalizing in pin tribes. I definitely took a big breath, a sigh of relief, if you will, apart from being just such an incredible talent. You know, what he means to this clubhouse and the players have done a chance to play with him for much longer than I have. You know, I saw it very quickly. So I'm very happy about it. I know not only the players, but the coaches and staff as well. They're all very happy to have a guy like that, have such an impact on people on and off the field. You know, you know he's special. So I was respecting his space and, you know, some of the discussions off the field with other teams potentially, but from to be back in New York, it just feels right. So I was, I was very, very excited and relieved to see that it was going to be ended in pin tribes. Overall, what do you think of the moves that have been made? He wasn't the only one signing him and securing him to a nine year deal also got pitching in Rodin. Tommy Cainley is back. There are other moves that this front office has made. How do you feel about this team heading into spring training? Yeah, I mean, I feel incredibly confident, you know, to have a front office that's willing to make moves, to go out and get talent, to go out and get winning players. I mean, that's what you want as a guy that's still, you know, part of that team. You know, I know it's not that experience everywhere else. I know players are maybe frustrated with some of the moves that other front offices may or may not make. And, you know, to be in a position where I'm fortunate enough to say, you know, I think the front office did an incredible job in getting winning players. That's all you can ask for. So they're definitely putting together a great roster. And most importantly, having those guys fit in to, you know, the overall culture behind the scenes is really what the challenge is because the talent's there. So I'm just looking forward to getting down to Tampa, starting to, you know, breathe that culture and be a part of that culture and continuing in the right and positive direction and having guys with winning talent. And then again, that's all you could ask for. So I'm very excited. I'm very confident about where we're going. And I'm just looking forward to taking it day by day, because you got to slow it all down. You talk about the mental aspect of it. How much was your mental fortitude tested last year as you tried to come back from that injury? You were traded at the deadline. I know how badly you wanted to get on the field for the Yankees. Was that a difficult process making sure that you were healed enough to be productive on the field? Yeah. I mean, you said it perfectly right there. It was a test. And, you know, part of a test comes with, you know, preparing for the test. And when it presents itself is, you know, answering the questions appropriately and kind of acing it. And my trainers and their level of preparation, the staff here, you know, all the way up to Brian Cashman who, you know, from day one made me feel very comfortable and confident in taking my time. You know, these are all the study materials, if you will, for that test. Because when it came, which was day in and day out, that month and a half or so that I was kind of on the shelf, when it came down to it, I think I aced it. And a lot of it was because of this staff. A lot of it was because of the medical staff behind the scenes were helping me every day. And without them, you know, I don't think I would have done as well in getting through that test. So kind of got to a point where I, you know, could play, get my feet wet towards the regular season, just get my timing back. And then obviously the playoffs just being super comfortable. And then the position where I was just healthy and going out there and just playing baseball. You know, that's kind of the final test, if you will. So it was definitely tested. But, you know, with the materials that I had with a lot of my guys again behind the scenes, you know, they helped me tremendously. So it was a group effort, no doubt. How would you describe your postseason because you certainly showed some Yankees fans what you could do when you are healthy? How would I describe it? You know, I just strive every day to be a winning player. You want to be a winning player on the field, you want to be a winning player off the field. You know, I just, I always want to play winning baseball. And I think that regardless of the results, the level of preparation was to prepare to win. So, you know, as nice as the results were, it's not always going to be that way. But the mentality, the level of focus, and the commitment to just being a winning player, to be a good teammate, you know, that's the consistency that I'm always searching for. And I know that if I do that and I study the game, you know, I'm going to help my team win. So it was a very small sample size. But, you know, I'm just, again, looking forward to the opportunity to go out there and be for 160 plus games. Okay, now I see you're at Yankee Stadium right now, clearly getting a little work in today. Anything change about your offseason routine this year? You know, honestly, so I'm using the Yankees facilities, obviously, and the access to this, you know, the slow motion cameras and the different machines. And so some of the little tools that kind of, I think in my opinion, put me a couple weeks, a few weeks ahead of where I normally am, especially rolling into spring training. I've definitely been taking advantage of that. You know, the Yankees have an incredible facility here, as I'm sure many, many people could imagine, but just a little separators, you know, some things where I didn't maybe have access to a slow motion camera in the past. I can walk swing to swing right now and just kind of queue it up. And I, you know, I understand my movements pretty well. So just locking in my swing, you know, that's the biggest thing I'm not trying to be anybody else. I'm just trying to make my swing as good as it is in preparation for what I think the league is going to throw, throw at me in the upcoming season. So, you know, simple as cameras, different machines that could basically put a ball on a, on a dime in any part of the zone and just continuing to rep that, you know, repetition is king with a lot of things, but specifically in baseball in the off season, where it's easy to kind of get off track. So being at the same has been incredibly beneficial for me this year. And, and yeah, we've been getting after it. Well, I know fans are looking forward to spring training before I let you go. As we know, we mentioned earlier, you're a New York guy. So I have to ask you giants or jets? I'm a giant. Islanders, devils or Rangers? After a minute, I do love all three. I have respect for all three. But I am, I have, I did draw up a Rangers. Okay. Last one. Nick's or Nets? I'm a Nick's fan. Nick's. Oh, you're hurt. Yes. Network. We have the Nets on our air. Come on, Harrison. I'm sorry. This has been a lot of love and matters since we're guarding this off season as it has been in previous years. But next, next to my team, I'm most excited about the Nets. We've seen you there a few times so far this off season. You can maybe get a couple more games in before heading down to Tampa. Thanks so much for the time. Yeah, absolutely. Always nice to talk to you. Thank you as well.