It isnt only what Gerrit Cole does on the mound for his Yankees teammates. He is their Cy Young when he isnt pitching, too. I think hes an incredible human being, Marcus Stroman told The Post. Hes someone whos extremely unselfish, someone whos just trying to help, and be a light to anybody around him, someone who will take the time out of his day to completely try and better a teammate in any scenario. Through this injury hes been around talking to us in between innings, going over things with us after game, pregame, just giving us his knowledge and tidbits. Hes so dialed in when it comes to baseball analytically and mechanically, so when he talks hes the type of dude you listen. So just having him around just gives you confidence, especially when hes telling you certain things about your game, it only makes you more motivated when you go out there. Ive been a fan of his from afar, and to be up close and personal, its been something to admire. Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole and teammate Clarke Schmidt chat in the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST Cole, returning from spring training elbow inflammation, will make his season debut on a sweltering Wednesday night against the Orioles under Aaron Boones watchful eyes. He obviously brings a lot on the field but he brings a lot off the field, Clay Holmes told The Post. He was able to kinda pour into his teammates, things that hes always done, just maybe had a couple of more seconds to do it I gue s. Hes in every pitch. It almost feels like the way he talks to you, your outing after a game, that he was almost like there with you throwing it. Thats just how engaged he is. More From Steve Serby This whole little couple of months just reinforced the things I think a lot of us knew about him already. Former Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo was to play behind Cole for the first time. He really cares not only about the way he gets ready, but about all the pitching staff, all the guys hes Bryan Woo Jersey always kind of watching and just giving his opinions and views, and I feel like usually theyre right, Verdugo said. Gerrit Cole was set to start for the Yankees on Wednesday night. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post Aaron Judge is the captain, and deservedly so. Cole has similar leadership qualities. Just a really great guy, one thats constantly wanting to share feedback and wisdom and how to get better, not afraid to ask stuff to make himself better from teammates, and just always striving to be great, Luke Weaver told The Post, and I think that is infectious, and I think hes definitely a vocal leader and hes also a leader by example. His teammates were thrilled for Cole winning the 2023 Cy Young. Theres not a stone he really leaves unturned, Holmes said. You see somebody that thats talented that puts that much energy into it. I mean, you just root for him, especially when he has as much potential as he does. He has more than enough capabilities to win a Cy Young. You want that to come true for him. It was definitely a cool moment just to see all that come to fruition and see him get rewarded for it. The Yanks entered the night 16-2 in Coles Stadium starts. Hes one of those guys that every time he starts its must-see TV, Verdugo said. Everything he throws he has a good understanding of what hes trying to do and what kind of pitch characteristics he wants. Go beyond the box score with the Bombers Sign up for Inside the Yankees by Greg Joyce, exclusively on Sports+. Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Austin Wells caught Cole in spring training and raved about his fastball. The way that it moves and the way it comes out of his hand and the way hes able to command it, it just makes everything else that much better, too, Wells told The Post. Getting their ace back wasnt only an emotional boost to the Yankees. Stroman knows what it would mean to the opposing pitcher, starting on Wednesday night with Baltimores Cade Povich. Gerrit Cole pitches in a rehab a signment with the Somerset Patriots. Bill Kostroun/New York Post Hes an ace, hes a Cy, so I feel like anytime youre going against him you know that youre gonna have to be at your best in order to go out there and put your team in a position to win because I feel like hes someone whos pretty much always at his best, Stroman said. Theres a reason hes been doing it for so long at such a high level. I never take that for granted, especially someone whos been in a while. I admire the guys like Gerrit Cole, like Zack Wheeler, like Aaron Nola, guys who go out there and give you 200 innings each and every year Logan Webb. I just think those guys are the most valuable for their teams. And like I said, Gerrit, hes so dialed in when it comes to analytics, hes like e sentially having another coach around. So very thankful for his presence. Michael Flynn Jersey