DJ Gladney finding success with Yankees after White Sox years

BRIDGEWATER – “Go DJ. ” While it’s the name of DJ Gladney’s Lil Wayne walk-up song this year, it’s also something the 24-year-old Somerset Patriots outfielder has taken to heart in his first year in the Yankees organization, getting off to a hot start at the plate. “It goes back to 2021 when I was in Kannapolis, North Carolina,” Gladney said.

“I tried it out just for giggles, and it ended up sticking with me. Everybody enjoyed it … people love ‘Go DJ,’ so I just wanted to stick with that and ride that one out. ” Go DJ, that’s my DJ Gladney’s story is far deeper than just a catchy walk-up song with his name in it.

An Oak Park, Illinois, native, he came through the Chicago White Sox Amateur City Elite (ACE) program, established in 2007 to help “reverse the declining interest and participation in baseball among African American youth. ” A big fan of the South Siders growing up, Gladney was drafted by the White Sox in 2019, going in the 16th round out of Illiana Christian High School. At the time, given his path, it was a dream come true.

“Just being the hometown kid and always going to the games as a kid, I remember all my favorite players being on the White Sox,” said Gladney, who grew up about a 35- to 40-minute drive from Rate Field. “Ultimately growing up to be a part of that was special. ” Now you know I play it, like a pro in the game Naw, better yet a veteran, a Hall of Fame The hopes were high for Gladney in the White Sox system.