Tying a Bow on Spring Training

The regular season is upon us, but here's a quick look back at the week that was in Tampa.  Continue Reading

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Sticks and stones.  The biggest story coming out of Yankee camp had nothing to do with the upcoming season, but rather with Jose Canseco's allegations that he introduced Alex Rodriguez to the wonderful world of steroids.  In his new book "Vindicated," Canseco claims he was "confident" that A-Rod took performance enhancing drugs.  The former bash-brother also wrote that A-Rod had eyes for his former wife.  People called Canseco crazy when he outed players like Rafael Palmeiro and Mark McGwire in his book "Juiced," but those accusations weren't off the mark.  Still, Canseco also said that he believes Roger Clemens is clean.  Canseco is the quintessential riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.  As for A-Rod, here's what last season's MVP had to say: "I'm just excited to be playing baseball.  It's over as far as I'm concerned."  Oh, he is so naive.

Quarantine.  Johnny Damon missed some time this week with the flu.  The biggest reason for concern was the potential of Damon passing his germs to others so the Yanks locked him in a closet for a few days.  OK, that's a lie, but the 34-year-old was scratched from a road game against the Phillies on Wednesday.  As of Tuesday, Damon was hitting .283 with five doubles and 2 RBI this spring.

Out of action -- for now.  Andy Pettitte will begin the season on the 15-day disabled list with a bad back, but the left-hander is expected to take the mound for the Yankees against Tampa Bay on Saturday.  Pettitte hasn't pitched since March 17 against the Boston Red Sox.

I now christen thee ... The Yanks made it official as Legends Field was renamed George M. Steinbrenner Field before a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday. Steinbrenner's wife Joan threw out the ceremonial first pitch and a rendition of Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" was played as the Boss circled the field in a golf cart.  Legends Field has been the Yankees spring home since 1996.  Steinbrenner said afterward, "It was good. It was a great ceremony."

The final cut.  The Bombers trimmed their roster on Friday night and there were a few surprises.  Brian at DF has a nifty breakdown on the 25-man squad so I won't repeat it, but I will comment on Joe Girardi's decisions.  Morgan Ensberg made the club and looks to fill in at first base, but I don't think the Yanks need another guy out there.  Shelley Duncan, Wilson Betemit and even Jason Giambi should receive the bulk of the playing time.  I guess the Yanks are hoping Ensberg isn't too far removed from his 2005 season where he clouted 36 homers and drove in 136 runs.  It may be tough for Ensberg to get at-bats, but it won't be nearly as tough as the situation he found himself in eight years ago.  Newsday has an interesting article on Ensberg's Spring Training from hell.  The other move that caused a slight eyebrow raise from me was Jon Albaladejo made the Big Time.  River Ave. Blues has a comprehensive profile on the right-hander and he'll probably be the player sent down when Pettitte is ready to come back, but that will leave the Yanks without a "long" man.  Billy Traber made the squad as the team's only lefty in the pen, but maybe Girardi should have taken Darrell Rasner up north.  Then again, a team never begins and ends with the same guys.

It won't be the same without you.  A bit of sad news to report from Yankee Land.  Longtime public address announcer Bob Sheppard will not be in attendance for the final Opening Day at Yankee Stadium because of health issues.  Sheppard has been the voice of Yankee Stadium since 1951 and the Bombers hope to have him back sometime in June.  Jim Hall will fill in.  Bobby Murcer will also miss Opening Day at The Stadium.  Murcer said the treatment he's been taking to battle brain cancer has left him too weak.  "You have no idea how disappointing it is for me not to be able to be there for Opening Day, especially this particular Opening Day," Murcer said.  "But right now, I just don't have the strength I had last year."  Get well soon, guys.

Now take a lap and hit the showers.  Showtime is just two days away.

Mike covers the Yankees and Jets on his blog, Green Pinstripes.

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