http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...11-06-21_amazing_life_of_brian_continues.html
New York Yankees' Brian Gordon to receive first major-league at-bat as pitcher, not outfielder
BY MARK FEINSAND
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Tuesday, June 21st 2011, 4:00 AM
Ron Antonelli/News
CINCINNATI - When he was drafted by Arizona in the seventh round in 1997, Brian Gordon imagined his first big-league at-bat coming in Arizona as an outfielder for the Diamondbacks.
More than 14 years later, Gordon will finally have that at-bat Tuesday, though it won't be for Arizona - and it won't be as an outfielder. "It's kind of funny; if you had told me 10 years ago that I'd be getting my first major-league at-bat as a pitcher, I'd be laughing at you," Gordon said. "It's going to be special."
Gordon will take the mound Tuesday night against the Reds, making his second start after being signed last Thursday. Gordon allowed two runs on seven hits in 5-1/3 innings in a no-decision against the Rangers, taking the mound only hours after first walking into Yankee Stadium.
Although he's had five days with his new teammates to prepare for this start, the 32-year-old Gordon expects to feel the same butterflies and jitters that he did during his debut. "It doesn't matter where I'm throwing, I get so excited when I take that mound, it's something I love to do," Gordon said. "I feel completely blessed to do. It's something that excites me every time I get to do it. I think it will be the same intensity, same nerves, same everything. I'll have to tackle those things one more time."
Gordon is approaching his future one start at a time. With Phil Hughes set to make his second rehab start on Friday and Bartolo Colon presumably returning from his hamstring injury in early July, Gordon's future might be as a long reliever - which would be just fine with him. "I'd be tickled; I'd be whatever," Gordon said. "They're paying me to throw the ball for them, so wherever they want me to go, that's where I'm going to go. They brought me over here to help them and I'm going to do my best to fill whatever role they need me in. I'm excited in any role. If they want me to be the official resin bag, I'll be that guy."
Gordon still finds it "unbelievable" that he's in the Yankees' rotation after spending parts of 15 seasons in the minors, the first 10 as an outfielder. "I try not to think about it too much, because I think you can get too excited," Gordon said. "I just try to tell myself over and over, 'You belong here, so just do your job.' It's something that excites me every day just to think about."