For love or money
Just like Wilt, A-Rod blessed, cursed by his talent

It was exactly 50 years ago this week that Wilt Chamberlain lost the NCAA championship, as North Carolina beat his Kansas team in triple overtime. It was hardly Wilt's fault. He was named tournament MVP, but it was then that he was christened a loser, a tag he would carry most of the rest of his career. Eventually, one of Wilt's coaches, the estimable Alex Hannum, said, "Nobody loves Goliath," a phrase Wilt would often woefully recite himself.

Indeed, Chamberlain is the only great athlete I've ever known who seemed to be so much happier once his playing days were over. So much was expected of him that even if he did finally win two NBA titles, he understood he could never be loved.

I never thought Wilt would remind me of anyone else.

But along came Alex Rodriguez.

I will not try to stretch comparisons. Wilt was a force of nature, Rodriguez merely an extraordinary talent, the best in his game, natural enough to play in the major leagues at the age of 18, which is virtually unheard of. But there seems in A-Rod -- or "A-Fraud," as his critics like to call him, painting a mustache on the Mona Lisa -- there seems almost an embarrassment that he could be that naturally gifted. Wilt was that way. When scoring points could not make people adore him, he sought to get the most assists -- and beyond that, ultimately, as we know, he boasted that he had had the most women.

Rodriguez was happy in Seattle, where he found in his manager, Lou Piniella, a surrogate father. He positively gushed on and on about Sweet Lou when I talked to him last month. He even remembered how Piniella had kissed him when he cried as a rookie after he struck out. However, Seattle was too far out of the mainstream, so A-Rod took a monster contract to become a mercenary for a losing team, Texas.

But the great amounts of money, like Wilt's great amounts of points or women, didn't buy him respect, only the same sort of charges of greed. It was fool's gold. So A-Rod came to New York, to the fabled Yankees, where he would be, at last, in the center of the baseball universe. There, he cheerfully gave up his shortstop position, played the unfamiliar third base magnificently, won the league's MVP trophy ... but still, still couldn't earn the fancy of the fans.

Isn't it funny? Of course, Rodriguez talks of only wanting to win a championship, but somehow it seems that what matters more for him is to win the hearts of the people who root for his team. Maybe when you know you're that good, good isn't good enough. There are even rumors that A-Rod really only wants to find comfort, go re-join Piniella, who is now managing the Cubs.

I always thought Chamberlain would have been better in an individual sport, where the complications of team didn't intrude upon his personal majesty. Maybe Rodriguez is miscast in the same way. Sometimes, I suppose, an athlete can be trapped by his own brilliance. Like an actress who is so beautiful nobody believes she can act in a role, A-Rod is so great nobody can believe he needs to be reassured on a team.

Source: SI

After today's start (have no idea why so many said it went "well," much was because of good Yankee defense, not great pitching. His fastball barely crept over 90 mph), Igawa should definitely be the opening day starter.

Glad to hear Igawa's been doing better as of late.

Clemens no closer to decision

HUMBLE, Texas (AP) - Roger Clemens was greeted by a group of autograph-seeking fans as he walked off the 18th green during a pro-am event at Redstone Golf Club on Wednesday.

"Are you coming back?" someone asked.

"I'll know in about a month," Clemens answered.

The 44-year-old is no closer to deciding whether he'll return for a 23rd season. He set no timetable, but repeated that he'll choose among the Houston Astros, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

Clemens said his agents, Alan and Randy Hendricks, will let him know when he can't put off his decision any longer.

"They're great at what they do and they'll call me and say, 'Listen, it's time to either make a decision or not,"' the seven-time Cy Young Award winner said. "It could come next week, it could come in 2-3 months, who knows?"

Clemens hinted that he'll pick the team he thinks has the best chance to win the World Series.

"I need a solid reason to do this," Clemens said. When asked what a solid reason would be, Clemens said, "To feel like I could contribute and to win, to know we have an outstanding chance to win and to be a part of something special."

Clemens said he's healthy and ready to pitch, but still needs to mentally prepare for a season.

"My arm's not too far off, my body is not too far off," he said. "My mind's just not there yet."

During Wednesday's round with Lee Westwood, who's competing in this week's Houston Open, Clemens wore a white baseball cap with "World Series 2005" emblazoned on the front. Clemens said he's heard from Chris Burke and other former Houston teammates, urging him to come back.

The only firm plan Clemens has now is to follow his oldest son, Koby, a minor-leaguer in the Astros system.

Clemens also said he'll fly to New York in the coming weeks to see close friend Andy Pettitte pitch for the Yankees. Pettitte said Tuesday his sore back is feeling better and the Yankees are confident he'll make his first regular-season start.

Clemens and Pettitte spent four seasons together in New York and most of the last three in Houston.

"I told him he's getting older and he needs to use a weight belt on his squats," Clemens said. "It's good for all of us."

Source: FOX Sports

This is great! (Despite being scary.)

Yankees in trouble? (Arguably.)

By Jeff Passan, Yahoo! Sports
March 27, 2007

Notes: Pavano's final tuneup a success

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Manager Joe Torre isn't prepared to name Carl Pavano as the Yankees' Opening Day pitcher, but the right-hander said he's ready for the assignment.

Making his final tuneup start of Spring Training on Tuesday, Pavano turned in a solid six-inning showing against the Twins at Hammond Stadium, breaking several bats and earning a passing grade for his final exam before the regular season begins.

"Just because we saw this doesn't mean that automatically makes him the Game 1 starter, but it certainly is nice to see," Torre said. "He's come a long way."

Pavano scattered six hits and allowed two runs, walking one, but he let the Yankees' defense and the late movement of his two-seamer do most of the work. Pavano induced four double plays and recorded 14 of 18 outs on the ground.

"I think I've shown that I'm healthy," Pavano said. "I'm going to go out there and compete."

With less than a week remaining before the Yankees' season opens at home against the Rays, Pavano appears to be the likeliest candidate to draw the assignment.

Torre said Tuesday that the Yankees would like to see one more Grapefruit League start from left-hander Kei Igawa, and fifth starter candidate Darrell Rasner -- who pitches Wednesday against the Astros -- is not thought to be a likely choice.

Though he has not pitched in a Major League game since June 27, 2005, Pavano points out that he is no stranger to big games and frenzied atmospheres -- after all, it was his World Series performance against the Yankees in 2003 that helped pique the club's interest in signing Pavano as a free agent a year later.

Pavano admitted he would be "excited" for the Opening Day assignment, but said he did not believe it would be different than any other start. Either way, it would be a long way from what Pavano had been envisioning when he reported to the Spring Training in mid-February with the other pitchers and catchers.

"I definitely had some other things on my mind," Pavano said. "But there were times when I was down and guys were picking up my slack. It's unfortunate, the course of events that some of the guys went down, so it's my turn to pick that up."

If Pavano had known he'd be here back in February, he'd have been elated. The road through the Grapefruit League wasn't uneventful -- he suffered a bruised left foot in batting practice, left a start 45 minutes before first pitch to attend to personal issues and was nearly attacked by a swarm of bees in Sarasota.

All things considered, Pavano insisted he is ready for the long wait to end.

"I don't have all the answers for the future, but I was hoping that this would one day come to fruition," Pavano said. "It looks like it did."

Final days of battle: The Yankees' ongoing competition for a right-handed first baseman could not have taken a more stark contrast on Tuesday.

Both Andy Phillips and Josh Phelps played the full game against the Twins, batting back-to-back, with Phillips manning first base and Phelps serving as the designated hitter.

While Phelps continued to slug, hitting his third home run of the spring in the second inning off Minnesota's Boof Bonser, Phillips struck out in all four at-bats and lowered his spring batting average to .190.

"Certainly you're aware that time is dwindling and decisions are coming," Phillips said.

The Yankees are likely to wait until at least Friday before any final decisions are revealed, but Phillips' chances of making the roster have taken a hit.

While the Yankees value Phillips' years of contribution as a homegrown player and are expected to take his past Major League service into consideration, he has been trying to catch up after missing more than a week of camp while attending to his injured mother, Linda, in a Birmingham, Ala., hospital.

Because of his absence, the Yankees have been pressed to find Phillips at-bats. He has hit in Minor League games and even batted nine times in a simulated game against Andy Pettitte, but still has just 21 at-bats.

"It's like starting all over," Phillips said.

Then again, you would have to excuse Phelps if he remained a bit wary, unsure if he's done enough to convince the Yankees to carry him.

As Phelps points out, he's had the same high-caliber spring two seasons in a row. He batted .531 with three homers and nine RBI in 15 games for the Tigers last spring, only to spend the season at Triple-A Toledo.

He attributes his success this season to a clearer mental approach.

"I think I've gotten better as I've gotten older as a player, mentally," Phelps said. "I'm just trying to improve on the game as much as I can. I've just focused on going up there and playing, and not worrying about mechanics or if I get a hit or not."

No problems for pitchers: The three hurlers expected to play major roles for the Yankees in 2007 -- Chien-Ming Wang, Pettitte and Jeff Karstens -- all arrived at Legends Field separately on Tuesday morning, but their stories were consistent. The trio had some collective good news to report.

Hoping to keep his arm strong as his right hamstring recovers, Wang threw with pitching coach Ron Guidry at distances of 60 and 90 feet. Wang said he feels a lot better and hopes to beat the Yankees' projected Major League return date of late April.

Pettitte said that he felt no ill effects from a light bullpen session conducted in Tampa on Monday, meaning that he could have a more challenging workout off the mound on Wednesday. That could line Pettitte up to pitch in a Minor League game on Friday.

"I definitely didn't go backwards at all," Pettitte said. "I feel good. It's definitely positive."

Finally, Karstens could be closer to resuming baseball activities than many expected. The right-hander left his last start on Saturday with tightness in his right elbow, but MRIs and CT scans taken Monday revealed nothing out of the ordinary.

Karstens is now just wearing a protective sleeve to keep his arm warm and is taking anti-inflammatory medication, but said he had feared the examinations would reveal something much more sinister.

"I'm relieved at the fact they didn't find anything," Karstens said. "You never know."

Source: Yankees

Notes: Good signs for Pettitte

TAMPA, Fla. -- With the days of camp waning, the Yankees still need to finalize exactly who is heading north with them when the calendar turns to April.

While those matters remained unsettled after Wednesday's 12-2 loss to the Astros -- and some became more murky -- one issue became perfectly clear.

Andy Pettitte, pack your bags.

"Let's put it this way: We'll leave Florida with him," manager Joe Torre said, "which is something we weren't sure about a week ago."

Pettitte threw 31 pitches in an early-afternoon bullpen session, dialing up his velocity and making use of his complete repertoire. Afterward, he said that he never dreamed the back spasms -- first incurred on March 19 -- would last as long as they did, but said he is "relieved" they've finally dissipated.

"I got good and heated up today -- it was hot," Pettitte said. "I felt really loose, probably as loose as I've felt all spring as far as my body [is concerned]. This was a bullpen where I was throwing the ball and cutting it loose pretty good."

Both Pettitte and the Yankees were pleased that the back spasms that sidelined the left-hander showed no signs of recurring.

"He was nice and easy," said Wil Nieves, who caught the session. "He was letting it go a little bit. He wasn't throwing 100 percent. He threw everything -- fastball, curveball, slider, changeup -- and threw it real well."

Hours later, when potential fifth-starter candidate Darrell Rasner had a tough time against Houston's lineup, the hope of Pettitte's presence in the first turn of the rotation took on even greater importance.

Pettitte is slated to pitch at the Yankees' Minor League complex on Friday, either in a game or in a simulated game created for him.

"I just need to see some hitters. It's been a long time," he said.

If Pettitte passes that test, he would be projected to be available for the Yankees in their first regular-season series, against the Devil Rays.

Torre has previously cautioned that Pettitte is likely to begin the season behind the other starters in terms of stamina. Pettitte worked no more than five innings in any of his three Grapefruit League efforts, but Torre found nothing but good signs out of Wednesday's mound session.

"I know he was excited about what he felt, just from watching him [Wednesday]," Torre said. "We'll see what Friday is."

Something in the bank: The 2006 performances of both Rasner and Ron Villone continue to weigh into the Yankees' collective decision-making process, which is a positive thing for their hopes of making the 25-man roster.

Unfortunately for both, they also gave the Yankees a few negatives to consider on Wednesday, which is particularly noteworthy because Torre hopes to have his final decisions revealed by Friday afternoon.

Rasner had been enjoying a solid spring, having allowed just two runs in 12 spring innings before surrendering seven runs and nine hits to Houston in 4 2/3 innings on Wednesday.

"Last year, to his credit, he pitched well for us in games that were very important," Torre said. "You can't discount that. But tonight wasn't very good."

Rasner walked two and struck out two, surrendering a solo home run to right fielder Luke Scott.

"The frustrating thing about it was that I was getting beat on secondary pitches, and that should not be happening now," Rasner said.

Rasner was relieved by Villone, who faced three batters and allowed a walk, single and two-run triple before being lifted. A non-roster invitee, Villone has struggled with his command and knows that his potential roster spot is in danger. Wednesday's outing increased his ERA to an unsightly 14.40.

"Time's running short," Villone said. "I don't feel good about it."

Torre believes that Villone has been trying to manufacture velocity on the mound, a similar he was in at this point last spring.

The difference is that Villone had a guaranteed contract in 2006, whereas the veteran likely needs to fend off 27-year-old Sean Henn to earn a trip north this year. Torre said that Villone isn't out of the running yet, but Wednesday's outing gave the coaching staff more to talk about.

"If he wasn't here last year, then it would be tough to even consider him," Torre said. "But with what we know about him and know about his makeup, I think you still have to make a decision with that information being a part of it."

Checking in: Torre said that he sat down on Wednesday for a chat with right-hander Carl Pavano. The Yankees are still not prepared to name Pavano as their Opening Day starter, but with Rasner the only plausible candidate, Pavano appears to be a near lock.

Torre said that the Yankees have not made up their minds completely, but that Pavano has regained a positive, confident attitude that the manager believs had been missing in his recent history.

"He's back, as far as one of the guys that's going to go out there and compete on a regular basis," he said.

Pleading the fifth: Jeff Karstens' chances of breaking camp with the Yankees are alive and well.

The 24-year-old right-hander is scheduled to throw from halfway up the mound on Thursday, his first baseball activities since leaving his start on Saturday against the Tigers with a sore right elbow.

"It's not as stiff," Karstens said. "It doesn't hurt at all."

Torre said that if Karstens comes through his remaining mound work with no ill-effects, he could be with the Yankees on Opening Day. Karstens was sent for an MRI and a CT scan on the elbow, and the Yankees were pleased to find only normal results.

"He could be in the back end of the rotation at this point in time," Torre said. "He hasn't been off that long."

Source: Yankees

Swindal may have lost chance to take over Yankees

TAMPA, Fla. -- George Steinbrenner's daughter filed divorce papers this week against her husband, Steve Swindal, a move that appears to end his chance to take over as head of the New York Yankees.

Jennifer Swindal filed the papers Tuesday in Hillsborough County Circuit Court's family law department, Yankees spokesman Howard Rubenstein said Wednesday. Rubenstein said the papers cited "irreconcilable differences."

"Steve and Jenny Swindal announced today that they are amicably ending their marriage of 23 years," Rubenstein said in a statement. "Although their marriage is dissolving, they remain friends and maintain a strong mutual respect. They are devoted to their two children and will make them their shared focus."

Reached by telephone, Swindal said he didn't want to comment beyond the statement or address his role with the team.

In June 2005, Steinbrenner said Swindal eventually would succeed him as head of the Yankees. Swindal currently is a Yankees general partner and chairman of Yankee Global Enterprises LLC. The New York Times, citing a source with direct knowledge of the situation, reported on Wednesday that Steinbrenner now has no intention of promoting Swindal, but removing him from the team altogether could be complicated since he is a partial owner of the club.

"I'm the boss," Steinbrenner said in a statement issued by Rubenstein. "I continue to be the boss. I have no intention of retiring, and my family runs the Yankees with me."

Swindal was arrested by St. Petersburg police at about 4:30 a.m. on Feb. 15 and charged with driving under the influence, a misdemeanor.

Swindal said the week following the arrest he felt embarrassed, and when asked whether his status with the team would change, Swindal responded: "Hopefully, not." Asked whether he still viewed himself as Steinbrenner's successor, Swindal replied: "I can't answer that other than it would be speculation." Asked whether Steinbrenner supported him, Swindal said: "He's been a great father-in-law and supportive. He supports me. I don't feel anything but a guy who is looking out after me and supports me."

Steinbrenner, who has hardly spoken publicly during spring training, didn't reply to questions as he walked past reporters before Wednesday night's exhibition game against Houston.

Swindal pleaded not guilty March 15, and a pretrial hearing is scheduled for April 5 at South County Traffic Court in St. Petersburg.

Swindal, who is 52, was weaving and driving 61 mph in a 35 mph zone when he was pulled over, police spokesman Bill Proffitt said shortly after the arrest.

Steinbrenner has four children. Son Harold Steinbrenner is executive vice president and treasurer of Yankee Global Enterprises LLC and Hank Steinbrenner is a senior vice president of the team. Felix Lopez, married to daughter Jessica Steinbrenner, is a team senior vice president.

Jessica Steinbrenner, along with Lopez, were among a group of people with Steinbrenner in the Legends Field dining room.

Swindal also heads a group competing for the franchise to operate thoroughbred racing in New York.

Source: ESPN

Lidle's wife, son to throw out first pitch

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees will open their 2007 season with a ceremonial tribute to the late Cory Lidle, a right-handed pitcher who died in a plane crash last Oct. 11 in New York City.

Lidle's wife, Melanie, and son, Christopher, are scheduled to throw the ceremonial first pitches before the Opening Day game against the Devil Rays on April 2, the team announced Thursday.

Also in attendance for the ceremonies will be Lidle's parents, Doug and Lisa, and his twin brother, Kevin.

Lidle was acquired last July 30 with outfielder Bobby Abreu from the Philadelphia Phillies in a six-player transaction. He appeared in 10 games for New York, going 4-3 with a 5.16 ERA, plus one game of the American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers.

An avid aviator, Lidle had planned a cross-country flight home to California. He and a 26-year-old flight instructor, Tyler Stanger, took off from New Jersey's Teterboro Airport on Oct. 11 in what appeared to have been a brief sightseeing excursion.

Both were killed when Lidle's single-engine Cirrus SR-20 plane crashed into an Upper East Side apartment building.

Lidle pitched 277 games in the Major Leagues over nine seasons with seven different clubs, compiling a career record of 82-72.

In addition to the ceremonial first pitch, the Yankees also plan to have the West Point Color Guard present the colors of the United States flag. A stadium flyover by two U.S. Navy F-18s, piloted by the Strike Fighter Squadron 34 (the Blue Blasters), is scheduled.

The Yankees said that a West Point soloist will perform the national anthem. Irish tenor Ronan Tynan, a familiar face at Yankee Stadium for several years, will perform "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch.

Source: Yankees

Mrs. Lidle might have better stuff than Pavano.

Even though he didn't have the stuff last week, I still think that the Yankees have invested a bit too much time in Rasner to send him down (aka having to put him on the waiver wire and the Nats, who have already said so, will snatch him back), and Karstens still can move freely between MLB and AAA without fear of being grabbed on the wire. So I think Karstens, by default, will head to Scranton-Wilkes Barre, if for no other reason than to make sure that he's fully healed, and to give Rasner a shot as a starter.

---

Once again, totally impressed by Josh Phelps, he is crushing the ball, and looks good on defense as well. Can't believe other teams let this guy get away. He makes both Eye-Chart and Phillips look silly in comparison. I'd be totally happy having Giambi and Phelps as my two first basemen (read: bring back Bernie!!!)

As it stands now, we're going to carry THREE first basemen, which is total crap. I mean, let's look at the rest of the bench:

Outfield - Melky Cabrera, Kevin Thompson (if necessary)
Infield - Miguel Cairo, Chris Basak/Andy Cannizaro (if necessary)
Catcher - Todd Pratt/Wil Nieves/Raul Chavez/Ben Davis
First Base - Giambi, Mientkeiwicz, Phelps

I mean, we're carrying three first basemen, two of whom will be on the bench in interleague play, and granted, Phelps doubles as a catcher, but still. I'd rather see them keep up utility like Kevin Thompson (or hell, get Bernie back) than keep Eye-Chart, but maybe they'll figure this out by the midway point of the season...

---

I still don't see how Mussina and Igawa can be ignored as opening day starters. For the longest time, all we've heard was it should be Wang, Pettitte or Moose as the man. Now, what the hell, because of a scheduled start, Moose is out of the picture? WTF? C'mon.

And for the record, these are the spring stats of Igawa vs. Matsuzaka:

Kei Igawa


Daisuke Matsuzaka


Now, let's do some adjusting. Igawa had a hard time adjusting to the Major League hill, and it hurt his control in the early going. By that same token, Matsuzaka kicked the shit out of Boston College (I hear they're going to be an expansion team in the MLB next year, right? ), which has inflated his numbers some to look better than they are. Adjusted:

Kei Igawa (adjusted)


Daisuke Matsuzaka (adjusted)


Considering their respective price tags and expected roles...who's looking smart now?

---

Steve Swindal has been done like Tom Hagen. "You're out, Steve." Divorcing George's daughter probably finishes off any chances he'll end up as the leader in Yankeedom. It probably should go to either Hank or Hal, his sons, or Felix Lopez, his other son in law and a Senior VP in the Yankees organization.

Or, maybe Brian Cashman should marry a Steinbrenner daughter and take the reigns himself?

---

One last thing. Abreu looks like a MONSTER since returning. He's pounding the ball, and he's got great speed. I'll miss you, Sheff, but not your attitude. Abreu has some class, and tremendous skill...and unlike you, he doesn't strike out.

Also, just coming across the waiver wire...looks like Phelps will get his shot:

Andy Phillips Waived



Sorry Andy, I really liked you, I think you had some versatile infield experience, but damn, you can't hit the ball! You could be a Gold Glove fielding first baseman, but we've already overpaid someone to be the instant out at first base, and his first name is D-O-U-G (I bet his last name isn't M-A-Y-E-R, though he pals with A-Rod the hot dog).

Pavano begins redemption quest

The long wait is over for Carl Pavano, who will make his return to the Major Leagues on the grandest stage baseball can provide in April -- Opening Day at Yankee Stadium.

Even Pavano admits that it wasn't the likely scenario he'd envisioned when the 31-year-old right-hander reported to Spring Training in February. After 1 1/2 years of big-league inactivity, Pavano would have been thrilled just to know he'd make it through the Grapefruit League gauntlet.

"I was hoping all this would fall into place," Pavano said. "That was my goal. That's why I spent so much time in the offseason trying to improve myself physically.

"I don't have all the answers for the future, but I was hoping this day would come to fruition. It looks like it is."

A perfect storm of events precipitated Pavano's reappearance against the Devil Rays, taking place on what has traditionally played out to be a ceremonial afternoon of pomp and circumstance.

The Yankees had planned to name Chien-Ming Wang as the Opening Day starter, but he pulled up with a strained right hamstring late in Spring Training and is expected to miss at least the first three weeks of the season.

Andy Pettitte dealt with a bout of back spasms that put him behind the Yankees' other starters in terms of stamina, and the team did not want to rush Mike Mussina back on short rest for what -- celebratory atmosphere aside -- is just one game of 162.

So it is the date April 2, 2007 that finally replaces June 27, 2005 -- Pavano's last Major League appearance -- in his career game log. The Yankees say they are prepared to play behind Pavano and call him a teammate.

"We want him out there," said catcher Jorge Posada, who volunteered to take a 2 1/2 hour bus ride to Fort Myers in order to catch Pavano's final spring start. "He wants to be out there. It's a lot of fun to see the way he's working, doing things right."

Yankees probable lineup
Pos. Name
1. CF Johnny Damon
2. SS Derek Jeter
3. RF Bobby Abreu
4. 3B Alex Rodriguez
5. DH Jason Giambi
6. LF Hideki Matsui
7. 2B Robinson Cano
8. C Jorge Posada
9. 1B Josh Phelps

While Pavano admits that he will be excited to rejoin the competition he'd missed -- "I don't want to downplay that," he said -- he does not view the game as any sort of opportunity for redemption.

"I've pitched in a lot of big games," Pavano said. "I don't think it'll be different than any other game, to tell you the truth."

More to the point, Pavano is aware of the fact that he has given the Yankees just 17 starts and four victories in his first two seasons of a four-year contract. He's hopeful that the final two seasons will be much more productive and enjoyable.

An offseason workout program conducted in Phoenix helped Pavano strengthen his core and regain some of the flexibility he lost over numerous battles with injuries and maladies.

His Spring Training wasn't exactly uneventful, either -- he suffered a bruised left foot when he was hit by a batting practice line drive, left a start 45 minutes before game time to attend to a medical issue involving his girlfriend, and was nearly attacked by a swarm of bees during a start against the Reds in Sarasota.

But Pavano made it through his five Grapefruit League appearances, compiling a 4.91 ERA and throwing 18 1/3 pain-free innings. It was enough to help restore some of the Yankees' confidence, who have no issues looking to Pavano as a contributor for 2007 on every fifth day.

"He's come a long way. His spring certainly has been consistent," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "His body language has been really good. He's worked hard this spring and now it's starting to pay dividends."

Source: Yankees

Q&A with manager Joe Torre

Joe Torre is reclining in his Legends Field office two hours before game time, his feet kicked up on the desk and his uniform suddenly half-assembled after watching his club take batting practice under the Florida sun.

The manager of the New York Yankees has less than 10 minutes to spare, and as he gestures for a club official to shut off a television replaying NBA highlights, Torre agrees to spend them discussing his club with MLB.com.

Entering his 12th season at the helm of the game's most storied franchise, the 66-year-old Torre made it clear that he still enjoys what he does and expects big things from the year ahead.

MLB.com: When you head to New York, you'll have had the clubhouse together for about seven weeks now. When you compare it to last season, do you see any changes in chemistry, based upon some of the roster moves that were made?

Torre: Well, this ballclub has been pretty stable in the way it goes about its business. For the most part, they're experienced players. A couple of years ago, when we brought Robbie Cano in and Chien-Ming Wang, and last year when Melky Cabrera all of a sudden came upon the scene the way he has, it's the first time in a long time that the Yankees have really relied on young players. It's given us a little more energy.

To me, we're very business-like in what we do, and there's a lot of pressure in what we do -- not that other teams don't experience the pressure. As far as chemistry, the thing about it for me is that I think winning creates chemistry, as opposed to the other way around.

When you have a lot of veteran players -- as I like to use the expression, 'true professionals' -- they understand even if you don't feel like going out to eat with somebody, you still have to go out there and play alongside them. The fact that we're all trying to do the same thing is reason enough to get along real well.

MLB.com: In the first weeks of Spring Training, much was made of the Yankees' depth in pitching. Could you have foreseen a test coming like the one the Yankees recently endured, losing Chien-Ming Wang to injury and having Andy Pettitte's availability placed into question?

Torre: You never see it coming, but I think from my experience, all managers come to Spring Training knowing that you're going to have some surprises. You hope the surprises are good ones, but that's not always the case.

The thing is, when it happens to a pitcher, it's so much more detrimental than if it happens to a player. A player can hurry up and get in shape once he's turned loose to go ahead and do what he does, and then he can do it every day. Pitchers can't do it every day. They can throw one day, rest a day, and if they're starting pitchers they have to wait four days.

Two starts, really, for a starter -- say, in Wang's case. When he's ready to physically get back on the mound and pitch a game, if we want him to pitch two games -- he's got the five days before, the five days after, and he's got the five days before he can pitch for us. We're talking about two weeks, even though it's only two games and he's felt good for two weeks. He's got that long to get that work in.

In Spring Training, you have to pretty much take what comes. If it happens to your pitchers, it's bad luck, but that's the way it goes. You just have to do the best that you can.

MLB.com: You've said often this spring that you're very comfortable with the state of the bullpen. Do you feel like that was the biggest improvement this team made going forward?

Torre: Leaving here, I think we've improved it, because we added [Luis] Vizcaino. To me, that was a huge get for us. We really wore [Ron] Villone down last year, we wore [Scott] Proctor down last year. Vizcaino is durable to the point where, not that we're going to use him multiple innings, but he's probably going to pitch multiple days and I think that's important.

[Kyle] Farnsworth, after the first year, figures to be more comfortable here. Proctor, after last year, he came as an extra pitcher at the end of Spring Training and turned into somebody very necessary. So I'd like to believe that our strength was there.

But again, the strength of your bullpen only depends on how well your starters do. Last year, your fourth and fifth starters, we didn't get a great deal of length out of them, so we really had to go to the bullpen more times than we wanted to.

MLB.com: One of the more memorable quotes from this spring, I thought, was that if the Yankees aren't scoring runs this year, you'll have a hard time pinning it on Doug Mientkiewicz. As the only new player in the everyday lineup, how much do you think he'll need to hit?

Torre: It's interesting. If a club is winning, you never pay attention to a guy who's 0-for-10. If a club is losing, all of a sudden you'll find that he's the main reason why you're losing, which is absurd for me.

A lot of it depends on how we're doing. Obviously, if you need offense, you'll move people around and try to force the issue. Doug is here basically for one reason -- he's going to play first base. Is it going to be a platoon? I'm not sure.

But the things he can do, aside from the defensive aspect of it, is that he can put the ball in play. When you put the ball in play, we can do some things with our offense. That's encouraging for us, because swinging and missing really curtails some of the things you can do.

MLB.com: When you look at what Boston just went through with shuffling Jonathan Papelbon back and forth, trying to figure out a closer, does it make you appreciate what you've had in Mariano Rivera all that much more?

Torre: Well, Mariano, God love him. For the 11 years I've been here, he's been terrific. His first year, he wasn't a closer, but he pitched two innings a game for us. Papelbon, last year, was terrific. He was intimidating and I'm sure Terry [Francona] is pleased that he has him back in the bullpen, because he certainly makes a difference.

You realize over the years that a closer is worth his weight in gold at this point in time, because he's like a regular player out there. But Mariano is the best. I've never seen a relief pitcher pitch for as long as he has with the same stuff, and still maintain his degree of success. It's great.

I grant you, he works hard and doesn't have some issues that others may have -- weight [problems] and all that stuff. But he's as good as they come, and I think what he's done in the past and the postseason really solidifies his place in Yankee lore and down the road, when it's time for him to take that walk up the steps to Cooperstown. I think there'll be a spot for him.

MLB.com: Through the course of this spring, has there been anything that has come up to tell you that you're enjoying this and you can see yourself doing this in the future?

Torre: I'm enjoying it, there's no question. Spring Training is a fun time for me. Winning isn't what it is during the season, let's put it that way. You're here to get players in shape to start the season and it's fun.

I'd like to believe that if I felt this way next year at this time, I hope I'm doing the same thing. I hope I'm still managing. But that being said, at my age, once you walk away from something, it's tough to say, 'Well, I miss that.'

So you decide to go back, and all of a sudden you realize you're 110 years old. You don't want to do that. As of right now, I'm enjoying it. It's not drudgery for me, and hopefully I continue to feel that way.

Source: Yankees

Yankees Opening Day outlook

A rash of pitching injuries late in Spring Training interrupted what had been an enjoyable camp for the Yankees. It wasn't exactly "Camp Quiet," the tranquil ideal that general manager Brian Cashman continually dreams of but never achieves, but the Yankees had been progressing through the Grapefruit League and keeping their players on the field.

With ace Chien-Ming Wang down for much of April, the Yankees' Opening Day performance fell largely by default to right-hander Carl Pavano, who hasn't pitched a Major League game since June 27, 2005.

Until the Yankees can recoup their starting five to full strength, they'll lean on one of the most dominant offensive lineups in the game and a bullpen that manager Joe Torre projects as improved over last season's assemblage.

Talent is not the question for the Yankees, who figure to blast past much of their American League competition. Finishing off the goal of a world championship is more of the mission, an achievement they have been unable to duplicate since 2000.

BATTING ORDER
1. Johnny Damon, CF
Damon returns for his second season in Yankees pinstripes, having set a career high with 24 home runs last year. The 33-year-old knows how to set the table, and he became the fourth player in team history to hit at least 20 homers and steal at least 20 bases in his first season with New York.

2. Derek Jeter, SS
Jeter had one of his best all-around seasons in 2006, finishing second in the AL MVP balloting while securing his third-consecutive Gold Glove Award. Though nothing but a World Series ring satisfies Jeter, the Yankees had plenty to be happy about with their shortstop's performance.

3. Bobby Abreu, RF
Abreu lends a patient approach to the lineup as he returns for his first full season, which should tire out starting pitchers and help the Yankees to see more soft middle relievers. Abreu has reached the 100-walk plateau in eight consecutive seasons.

4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Beyond whatever off-field issues may linger, Rodriguez is poised for a monster season. Motivated in part by his inconsistent performance in 2006, Rodriguez trimmed his body fat over the winter and is entering the season with a lithe physique. He hit 35 home runs and drove in 121 runs last year, but A-Rod wants to do even more.

5. Jason Giambi, DH
Time will tell how Giambi responds to his transition into a full-time designated hitter, but so far, the 36-year-old slugger is taking it in stride. Giambi has historically hit better when he plays the field, but the Yankees are hoping to squeeze an uninterrupted season out of Giambi by limiting his innings at first base.

6. Hideki Matsui, LF
With a healed left wrist and sans his consecutive games streak, Matsui enters his fifth year of service for the Yankees looking to make up for the four months he missed in 2006. The Yankees hope his contributions can be similar to 2005, when Matsui set career highs in batting average, hits, doubles and RBIs.

7. Robinson Cano, 2B
A superstar in many other lineups, the Yankees flash their wealth by permitting Cano to blend into the bottom of their order. The 24-year-old finished third in the AL batting race last season and has developed into one of the game's most dynamic young players.

8. Jorge Posada, C
Leaner and continuing to work on his defense, Posada has tweaked his game to account for his advancing years. The Yankees have come to rely on Posada's contributions to the point where his skills may actually be underappreciated, a tough scenario to have happen in New York.

9. Doug Mientkiewicz, 1B
A talented glove man, Mientkiewicz's true contribution to the stacked Yankees roster will be his deft defensive performance at first base, patrolling the right side of the infield and saving errors from his teammates. Mientkiewicz did not hit much in Spring Training but the Yankees would be thrilled if he could duplicate his performances from 2006, when he hit .283 for the Royals.

ROTATION
Carl Pavano, RHP
Even Pavano admits that he wouldn't have anticipated drawing an Opening Day assignment, though he continues to have high hopes for authoring a comeback story in New York. Pavano has shown signs of rust from his long layoff, but the Yankees have been pleased when flashes of his talent break through.

Andy Pettitte, LHP
The return of the lanky lefty was among the more satisfying storylines of the Yankees' Spring Training. Nostalgia aside, the Yankees will be looking for Pettitte to put up results and help anchor their staff. He's done it before on the Bronx stage, so nerves aren't a concern. If Pettitte can hit the 200-inning plateau for a third straight year, the team will be elated.

Mike Mussina, RHP
Aging gracefully, Mussina is relying more on his veteran guile as his velocity ticks downward, but it didn't hurt him much during his 15-win campaign in 2006. Mussina can still mix pitches and hit his spots with the best of them.

Kei Igawa, LHP
The Japanese import seemed to round into form as March wore on, using exhibition starts more to tweak his command. That pleases the Yankees, who were concerned earlier about Igawa's need to prove himself in the United States. He has shown a knack for the strikeout early in his Yankees tenure, but also wildness.

Darrell Rasner, RHP
The rotation is weaker without Wang, but young pitchers like Rasner will help hold the fort until his return. The 26-year-old picked up a spot on the roster when Jeff Karstens was sidelined with an elbow injury late in camp. He won three games for the Yankees last season and can serve as a long reliever as well.

BULLPEN
The Yankees have four familiar faces returning for their projected 2007 bullpen, with all arms leading to the best in the business, Mariano Rivera. Setup men Kyle Farnsworth and Scott Proctor are poised to again handle the brunt of the seventh- and eighth-inning duties, though the Yankees will tread cautiously to avoid overuse. Mike Myers is back as a situational left-hander, but one addition the Yankees believe will make a major impact is right-hander Luis Vizcaino, who has appeared in 70 or more games in four of the last five seasons. He can handle both lefties and righties, which provides another go-to option in a bullpen that has become no stranger to ringing telephones. As the season goes on, the Yankees can mix and match from a crew of candidates that includes Brian Bruney, Sean Henn and Colter Bean, according to their needs.

BURNING QUESTION
Can the pitching staff hold up for a run at the World Series? Even before Wang went down with a hamstring injury, there were concerns about the Yankees' rotation, particularly the back end. The Yankees' starting pitching is decent but not spectacular, and always open to a midseason acquisition (this means you, Roger Clemens). The Yankees should have little trouble providing plenty of run support, which was one of the reasons an aching Randy Johnson still compiled 34 victories in his two seasons with the Yankees. There's no reason to think that the 2007 starters won't be similarly able to pick up a few cheap wins here and there, but October is always a different animal. Pitching wins in the playoffs and it remains to be seen if the Yankees have enough.

ON THE RECORD
"We're a little limited right now on options for our rotation. We've got some of it figured out. It's sort of like a puzzle. We're going to have to fill in spots that we were hoping we wouldn't have to fill in." -- Torre

Source: Yankees

Yanks have one goal in mind

TAMPA, Fla. -- When the Yankees open their 2007 campaign on Monday, they will do so with the usual celebratory pomp and circumstance that has been accepted as part of the organization's flavor.

They'll also line the chalk at Yankee Stadium thinking somewhat of their unsettled pitching rotation, slapped together in patchwork fashion after several physical issues interrupted the final weeks of what had been a fairly pain-free Spring Training.

While no one could have projected that oft-injured right-hander Carl Pavano would be the one warming up in New York's bullpen as introductions begin, making his Major League return after 1 1/2 years on the shelf, the Yankees aren't outwardly fretting.

Even with ace Chien-Ming Wang down to a strained hamstring and in-season changes to the rotation a near certainty, the Yankees' strength entering the campaign wasn't really centered around starting pitching anyway.

More to the point, their strength was of the brute variety. The Yankees scored a Major League-leading 930 runs last season and did little to mess with a good thing, bringing back much of the same cast of characters for another year of assaulting American League pitching.

Though their lefty-laden lineup may prompt teams to lean toward arranging southpaws against the Yankees, the order presents a nightmare for a hurler, no matter which arm he throws with.

Top to bottom, there simply aren't many easy outs to seek, and an emphasis on plate patience -- headlined by right fielder and probable No. 3 hitter Bobby Abreu -- figures to help the Yankees work into the soft underbelly of middle relief.

"It's great," said leadoff hitter Johnny Damon. "The whole lineup, after me, you've got to face all of these other guys. It's got to be scary for a pitcher coming in."

Of course, as Derek Jeter points out, scoring runs has never really been an issue for the recent Yankees clubs.

"We've been scoring runs for a while," Jeter said. "We've got a lot of guys who can hit and a lot of guys who can beat you. We're capable in scoring in a lot of ways."

The biggest difference, manager Joe Torre believes, will be improvements in the bullpen.

With the manager steadfastly promising to use 37-year-old closer Mariano Rivera for just three outs a night, thus ensuring that the right-hander's valued arm is available for September and October, middle relief and setup men will be increasingly relied upon to record outs.

The Yankees feel well-equipped to handle those demands, bringing back setup men Kyle Farnsworth, Scott Proctor, plus lefty specialist Mike Myers from last year's relief corps. New to the mix is a trusted reliever in 32-year-old Luis Vizcaino, a rubber arm acquired from the Diamondbacks in January's Randy Johnson trade.

"With our bullpen," Torre said, "we feel like if we get five innings out of a starter, we can fill it in."

On the flip side, while many regular-season games have turned into swelled number slugfests, the Yankees have spent the last six seasons with a zero in the category that really counts around 161st Street and River Avenue -- World Series titles.

Jeter said he senses a certain hunger and restlessness enveloping the organization.

"You sense it because you're going home," Jeter said. "You're watching another team win, that's how you sense it. You put a lot of work in to win a championship. If you don't do it, man, it's a wasted year."

The emphasis on championship baseball has not changed in the Bronx and certainly never will under George Steinbrenner's stewardship. But the results are what count in the end, the sort of mindset that left a player like Jeter unfulfilled after what is generally considered his finest all-around campaign in 2006.

"Definitely, over the last couple of years, everybody has said, 'Oh, Mr. Steinbrenner has spent a ton of money,'" Jason Giambi said.

"It doesn't guarantee you a world championship. If you had a phenomenal football team and spent $200 [million], you could have a dynasty. In baseball, any team can beat any team on any given day. That's what makes baseball so great."

But while the Yankees still aim to bring the 2007 World Series to New York, general manager Brian Cashman spent much of the winter shuffling the deck of the organization, planning for pennant pushes to come.

The Yankees have held onto young rising talent like Wang and second baseman Robinson Cano, changing the organization's attitude somewhat.

With more promise like top Minor League hurler Phil Hughes on the horizon, Cashman added pitchers Ross Ohlendorf, Humberto Sanchez and Kevin Whelan in winter deals -- names that may not impact the Yankees right now, but are good bets to see big-league time in pinstripes.

"I think we've been pretty clear that our preference is to keep our prospects for ourselves," Cashman said.

But those are stories for another day. The Yankees are ready to begin their march toward that elusive 27th World Series title, doing so with a celebrated roster and on arguably the biggest stage in professional sports.

It's a scenario that creates legends out of success stories, but also magnifies the shortcomings immensely -- it may be a new season, but no one who was in the clubhouse at Detroit's Comerica Park has forgotten the sting of last year's abrupt American League Division Series exit.

It's the Yankees' goal to not let that sort of disappointment back into their storybook.

"That's a New Yorker thing," Giambi said. "When you're down, they want to see how you're going to get back up. It's a tough town. But at the same time, when you're an athlete, you cannot ask for a better place to play."

Source: Yankees

Notes: Pettitte gets back to game action

TAMPA, Fla. -- Facing the Blue Jays' Triple-A lineup Friday, Andy Pettitte made it through two innings unscathed, prompting him to wonder aloud if he would get some runners on base to work from the stretch position.

It was at that point that pitching coach Ron Guidry leaned over to manager Joe Torre and muttered, "Be careful what you wish for."

Pettitte completed his first mound action since a March 17 start in Clearwater, Fla., against the Phillies, but his stamina wasn't quite where he expected it to be.

Soon after Pettitte spoke those words, the Blue Jays obliged, putting up a four-run fourth inning before Guidry ended the left-hander's afternoon after 66 pitches. Pettitte allowed four runs and seven hits in the start, walking one and striking out three.

"I was good and gassed," Pettitte said. "I lost my release point that last inning, and lost my mind a little bit, and my legs. But I got right back to where I was.

"It was a real good work day for me. I hadn't pitched in two weeks. I needed it -- I needed it real bad."

Pettitte said that one lasting effect from his back spasms -- which did not recur Friday and are believed to be a past hindrance -- was that the Yankees medical staff still discourages him from running in-between starts, an activity that Pettitte feels helps him build stamina.

As such, Pettitte's scheduled outing Wednesday against the Devil Rays will probably be capped at five innings.

That's the major reason the Yankees decided to scrap a looming plan that would have had Pettitte face about six hitters Friday, then bounce back for what could have been an abbreviated, adrenaline-fueled start against Tampa Bay on Opening Day.

"We talked about it a little bit," Pettitte said. "That's what we were scratching our heads about. We didn't know how much stamina there'd be."

Meanwhile, as Pettitte worked against the Double-A order, right-hander Mike Mussina had no problems ripping through Toronto's Triple-A club one diamond over.

Making his final appearance before his scheduled start Thursday, Mussina struck out five in seven shutout innings, scattering four hits.

"It's time to go," Mussina said. "I felt good throwing the ball today. I've felt good the last three times. We've done a lot and there's still more to work on, but I feel like I've got a decent idea where the ball is going."

Mussina jokingly told Torre that he had been offended when the manager left the Himes Avenue complex following Pettitte's four-inning stint. Torre's area of concern was with Pettitte -- whom he personally delivered back to the door of the Yankees' clubhouse in his designated golf cart.

"I was the chauffer," Torre said. "I had no choice. I couldn't leave one guy out there sweating and waiting to ice himself."

Lefty left out: Left-hander Ron Villone has been asked by the Yankees to report to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, an alternative he said would take some time to mull over.

The 37-year-old left-hander was in Spring Training on a non-roster invitation, and would have earned $2.5 million if he had made the Yankees' roster. But Villone didn't give the Yankees enough reasons to consider carrying him, allowing eight earned runs and 13 hits in five innings.

"I don't expect much in this game," Villone said. "You expect to earn stuff. I haven't pitched well lately, but again, I know what I'm capable of doing. It seems right around the corner."

Villone said he expected that he would receive consistent work to regain his command if he reported to Triple-A, but he wanted to confer with his representatives and family before making a decision.

Cashman said that Villone will be released so that he may negotiate with other clubs, but he could always re-sign with the Yankees.

"I get the feeling they still want me around," Villone said. "Obviously, I need to be a little bit sharper."

Additional roster moves: The Yankees announced Friday that Andy Phillips -- who lost out to Josh Phelps as a right-handed batting first baseman -- cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre.

"It's one of those catch-22 things," Torre said. "You pull for the kid to get claimed so he can go to the big leagues, but it's nice having him here. He's a class act."

Infielder Chris Basak was reassigned to Triple-A, while catcher Todd Pratt was released. Pitchers Colter Bean and Chris Britton did not make the roster and also will be sent to Triple-A.

The Yankees plan to open the 2007 season with four pitchers on the disabled list -- Jeff Karstens, Humberto Sanchez, Jose Veras and Chien-Ming Wang.

Source: Yankees

Notes: Matsui determined to stay healthy

TAMPA, Fla. -- His fractured left wrist still throbbing from an injury suffered the previous evening, Hideki Matsui released a statement last May, saying that he was "very sorry" and "disappointed" that he had let his teammates down.

The Yankees outfielder points to that May 11 game against the Red Sox as the most painful moment he has had on a baseball field, but the following four months of inactivity leading up to his September return weren't much easier to handle.

That's why Matsui plans to do everything in his power to avoid another stint on the disabled list.

"I just want to make sure I do my due diligence in terms of being on the field," the 32-year-old said through an interpreter. "I will make sure I'm prepared for every game. As long as I can achieve that, I think everything will come together."

Matsui's injury altered the landscape of the Yankees' 2006 season and ended a personal playing streak of 1,768 consecutive games, dating back to his service for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan.

"As a starter, your teammates and everybody expects you to be out there, helping the team," Matsui said. "Not being able to be out there and fulfill expectations was something, basically, that I was apologetic about."

While the Yankees had respected and honored Matsui's iron-man status, tabbing him to play in 518 consecutive games as he opened his Major League career, the team's outfield projects for a certain measure of added flexibility with the string no longer intact.

With Matsui sidelined, young outfielder Melky Cabrera embraced the opportunity to display what he can do on the Major League stage, a performance that the Yankees hope Cabrera can reprise in a reserve role.

Earlier this spring, manager Joe Torre said that he hopes to find at least 300 at-bats for Cabrera, the lone backup outfielder heading north with the club for Opening Day.

Certainly, center fielder Johnny Damon and right fielder Bobby Abreu will enjoy their share of days off. Now Matsui can expect to have those occasional respites as well.

"When it comes to off-days and all that, I'm not really in a position to say I want to be off this day or off that day," Matsui said. "I'm just going to continue to do what I have been doing in the past, and that is to prepare for every game. Whatever Joe says, I'm just going to follow."

Matsui said he does not believe anything has changed as a result of the injury. He proved that right away by going 4-for-4 in a Sept. 12 contest against the Devil Rays -- Matsui's first game after being activated from the disabled list, but furthered the point with a strong Spring Training.

Matsui batted .339 with one home run and six RBIs this spring, going 1-for-2 in the Yankees' Grapefruit League finale Friday.

"I never really had pressure or anything like that when the streak was still on," Matsui said. "Nothing changes with what I had been doing or my attitude. It's still going to be the same."

First game, first base: Josh Phelps was called into Torre's Legends Field office on Friday morning, where he was informed that he had been selected to go north with the Yankees.

Recounting the conversation on Saturday morning, Phelps said he thanked Torre for the opportunity to be on the club. Torre told Phelps, "Don't thank me. You did it."

Phelps left little doubt about his abilities through a Grapefruit League campaign in which he batted .395 -- including his fourth home run off Detroit starter Mike Maroth on Saturday -- but his addition to the roster brings a whole new set of questions.

The Yankees entered Spring Training envisioning a platoon in which Doug Mientkiewicz garnered the majority of at-bats against right-handed pitching and either Phelps or challenger Andy Phillips batted against lefties, but that may no longer be the case.

Mientkiewicz's spring got off to a tough start and, though he rebounded late in camp to finish batting .159, Torre has hinted that the Yankees may reconsider the platoon. Informed of this, Mientkiewicz did not flinch.

"If you play well, you'll play," Mientkiewicz said.

Exhibit one of what could be a season-long swap will come on Monday, when the Yankees open up the regular season against Devil Rays left-hander Scott Kazmir. Mientkiewicz said he would love to be a part of the Yankees' Opening Day festivities, but said he would understand if Phelps got the call instead.

"Of course I want to play," Mientkiewicz said. "But that being said, whatever makes us better as a group, that's what I'm concerned about."

As for Phelps, who has been handling an endless avalanche of cell phone messages and e-mails since he received the good news on Friday, also left the decision in Torre's hands.

"I just want to be a piece of the puzzle," Phelps said. "I'll do whatever I can do to help the team win."

New kid in town: Kei Igawa was assured of at least one win before he took the mound Saturday against Detroit, starting the Yankees' final game of the Spring Training schedule.

Before the afternoon contest, Igawa was honored with the James P. Dawson Award, issued annually to the most outstanding Yankees rookie in Spring Training. Igawa picked up a no-decision in his six-inning start, allowing three runs on six hits while walking none and fanning three.

"He's certainly progressed every time he went out there," Torre said.

Igawa finished with a 3.13 ERA in six starts. His next outing is scheduled to be his Major League debut on Friday against the Orioles at Yankee Stadium.

"I'm very excited," Igawa said through an interpreter. "I'm looking forward to it. My goal is not to walk any batters."

The James P. Dawson Award was established to honor a New York Times sportswriter who died while covering the Yankees' Spring Training in 1953. Igawa was presented with an engraved Raymond Weil watch from William Barthman Jewelers.

Source: Yankees

Good for Phelps, maybe they can trade or waive Mientkeiwicz, and (gasp) bring back Bernie?!? Phelps is infinitely cheaper, and Eye-Chart's $2+ million salary could be better spent on Bernie.

Notes: Pavano out to prove

NEW YORK -- Carl Pavano's bizarre transformation from oft-injured and even more often maligned free-agent signee to the Yankees' Opening Day starter Monday has been reported to death by now. The gory details, twists and turns are well documented.

One remaining curiosity is how a sellout Yankee Stadium crowd will react to Pavano as he pitches his first game since the middle of the 2005 season.

Manager Joe Torre figures the Bronx faithful will give the right-hander a positive beginning to the 2007 season.

"I think the fans are going to be very supportive of him," Torre said. "Knowing the personality of the fans, they give everybody a helping hand. Then if you don't do the job, they let you know about it, which is certainly fair."

Whether Pavano can do the job is the real curiosity. Pavano admits there's not much he can do about how the fans greet him when he first steps out. Pavano also knows what he does over six or seven innings Monday will determine how fans say good-bye to him as he walks off.

"I don't know what kind of response I'm going to get when I'm entering the game, walking out to the mound, but obviously, when I'm done pitching, that's the only thing I have control over," said Pavano. "When I'm coming off the mound I'm hoping to have put together the performance I expect from myself."

Pavano, if he wants, can also get plenty of advice about pitching on Opening Day. Pitching coach Ron Guidry is expected to offer a few words on Monday, and Pavano could also seek out Mike Mussina.

He certainly won't have to travel far for one source. Pavano's locker was moved to the other side of the clubhouse for 2007, placing him right next to Andy Pettitte, who returns to the Yankees after three years in Houston and is someone whom Pavano built a rapport with during Spring Training.

"I just told him to go out and savor the moment," said Pettitte, who experienced back tightness earlier in the week but threw without issue early Sunday before a team workout at Yankee Stadium.

New digs: Speaking of changing lockers, closer Mariano Rivera started his 2007 campaign getting to know his new personal space -- the corner locker previously used by outfielder Bernie Williams, whose 16-year career in pinstripes came to a close this offseason when the Yankees chose not to bring him back.

"I don't know; what can I say?" Rivera said of his new cavernous locker. "The only thing I can say is that good things come from this corner. It's a lot of pressure; you have to do the job now."

Previous tenants of that corner locker include Sparky Lyle, Dave Righetti and Don Mattingly.

Williams didn't leave anything behind and Rivera said it will take him some time to figure out how he will personalize his new space.

"I've got to do a lot of things, a lot of shuffling," Rivera said.

Some concerns: Asked for his impressions of the team heading into the season opener, Torre appeared confident about nearly everything, but he expressed some anxiety about his starting rotation -- especially with right-handers Chien-Ming Wang (hamstring) and Jeff Karstens (elbow stiffness) ailing. Wang will start the season on the disabled list and probably miss about three weeks. Karstens' situation is less clear.

"When you leave Chien-Ming Wang and Jeff Karstens -- who both figured to be a part of this staff -- in Florida, it's not a comfortable thing," Torre said.

Right-hander Darrell Rasner will take over as the fifth starter in Karsten's absence -- behind Pavano, Mussina, Pettitte and left-hander Kei Igawa -- and will probably pitch next Sunday against the Orioles.

Torre didn't seem worried at all about Igawa, the Yankees' latest Japanese import. Torre said Igawa improved with each Spring Training start and made the correct adjustment, from throwing to impress the coaching staff to throwing what he needed to work on.

"There was one start where he was throwing a lot of strikes, but he was having trouble locating the changeup," Torre recalled. "So he threw probably more changeups than he'll ever throw in a game. That confidence made me feel good."

Batter up: The Yankees' Opening Day lineup will be as follows: Johnny Damon (center field), Derek Jeter (shortstop), Bobby Abreu (right field), Alex Rodriguez (third base), Jason Giambi (designated hitter), Hideki Matsui (left field), Jorge Posada (catcher), Robinson Cano (second base) and Josh Phelps (first base).

Phelps is getting the start with Tampa Bay starting left-hander Scott Kazmir on Monday, and he will probably continue platooning with Doug Mientkiewicz at first base in the early going.

Phelps, however, could get himself more at-bats should Mientkiewicz get cold at the plate. The 28-year-old Rule 5 Draft pickup is a career .293 hitter against lefties, as opposed to .257 against righties, but Phelps also has a respectable 36 home runs and 145 RBIs in 803 career at-bats against right-handers.

Source: Yankees

I predict that by May, Phelps should lock up the first baseman's job, since his defensive skills are better than average, and even Eye-Chart's sparkling Gold Glove play couldn't keep Torre and Cashman from being disappointing in his anemic offensive production.

Glad I actually got to see the game today on ESPN. Pavano gave up his usual 4-5 runs, the defense was VERY sloppy (giving up 3 errors) but the important thing is they got the W. Jeter came through as usual tying the game at 5 and I'm REALLY happy A-Rod got his last at bat. I was praying eye chart would be safe so A-Rod could get up and he didn't disappoint. He struggled early and had an error but I think the home run was a nice way to cap off his first game of the season. We're on a way now!

Notes: Bernie checks in with Torre

NEW YORK -- It was three hours before Carl Pavano would throw the season's first pitch, and Joe Torre's telephone was ringing. The voice on the other end was a familiar one, and it made the Yankees manager break into a grin.

Bernie Williams, the longtime veteran outfielder and a cornerstone of the team's four most recent World Series championship rosters, had checked in to wish his club luck for the coming season.

"It was very nice," Torre said. "It certainly put a smile on my face. He was the same guy: 'How you doing, you ready to go?' He's a caring individual, and I think that's what makes him so special."

Williams, 38, did not accept a standing non-roster invitation to the Yankees' Spring Training, and Torre has expressed regret that Williams didn't report to Tampa, Fla. As the manager has said, no one will ever know what could have happened in that camp.

So as the Yankees and Devil Rays lined the chalk at Yankee Stadium on Monday, an April chill cutting through the air, Williams was miles away, preparing for the reality of missing his first Opening Day experience in 16 years. After a brief conversation, Torre passed the telephone along to some of Williams' longtime teammates.

Mariano Rivera, who has now dropped his belongings into Williams' corner locker as the longest-tenured player in pinstripes, was nowhere to be found.

But both Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada were nearby and found their way to the line, greeting their soft-spoken former teammate, exchanging new cell phone numbers and accepting his well wishes for the coming season.

"He sounded pretty positive," Posada said. "Bernie's going to miss it more than us."

Jeter said that the concept of Williams not being in a Yankees uniform was "weird at first," but he believes the team has -- for the most part -- adjusted to the reality.

Small reminders do pop up now and again, though; Jeter said that Williams always used to take the seat behind the captain's on Yankees team charters, passing the hours of flight by strumming some licks on his guitar.

"I didn't have to listen to that [on] this trip," Jeter said.

Torre said that Williams still has not completely ruled out the idea that he could play in the Major Leagues this season. Posada said he believed that Williams would be physically capable of pulling off a return, though the Yankees -- as of now -- do not appear to have any place for Williams to play.

"It's all up to him," Posada said. "I have no idea. It'd be a tough thing to do, especially being 38. I'm pretty sure he can do it if he puts his mind to it."

Source: Yankees

Damon leaves game with calf cramps

NEW YORK -- Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon left the club's Opening Day game on Monday after five innings with cramps in both calves, the team announced.

Damon, 33, was 1-for-2 with a run scored and a walk in three plate appearances against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, beginning his second season with the Yankees.

He was replaced in center field by Melky Cabrera for the beginning of the sixth inning. Damon batted .285 with 24 home runs and 80 RBIs in 149 games for New York in 2006.

Source: Yankees

Homer caps A-Rod's whirlwind day

NEW YORK -- It doesn't take long for a Yankee Stadium crowd to switch from booing to wanting a curtain call. Just ask Alex Rodriguez.

A-Rod heard the worst and best from the crowd on Monday afternoon against the Devil Rays, a continuing saga of the two-time American League MVP and his relationship with Yankees fans.

It started in the first inning. Rodriguez chased a Ty Wigginton foul pop halfway between home plate and third base, moving right, ducking left -- he never looked comfortable. At the last second, he reached backward and missed the ball. It never touched his glove. Then, in the bottom of the first, Rodriguez came to bat with Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu aboard, but he struck out swinging.

The fans booed.

"I kind of started like a moron there, felt really goofy about it," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez's fortunes changed in the eighth inning.

With Abreu on base, Rodriguez smacked a two-run homer to left-center field into the Yankees bullpen. The drive put the Yankees up, 9-5, capping the scoring for the afternoon as closer Mariano Rivera struck out the side in the ninth.

Rodriguez said that the crucial at-bat in the eighth was Abreu's single between third base and shortstop. After that hit, Rodriguez went to the plate thinking single.

"I was actually trying to do the same thing [Abreu] did and got fortunate with a home run," he said.

Rodriguez said that his single to left and stolen base in the seventh felt just as gratifying as his four-bagger. He stole second on his own, trying to get something started for the Yankees.

Having totaled 15 stolen bases last season, Rodriguez said that he wants to steal more in 2007. And since opposing catchers threw him out only four times last year, Rodriguez would seem to have promising chances of swiping a few more bags.

"I enjoy that part of the game," he said. "I don't like to do it just to do it. I like to do it to help win a game."

"We're trying to establish little baseball. To beat good pitching, you have to do the little things. That's why I was so excited about Jeter's hit, and Bobby Abreu's hit, and then [Jason] Giambi's hit. The home run is icing on the cake, but small ball is what we're looking for."

After hitting his home run, Rodriguez circled the bases and the crowd erupted. The cheers continued as he went into the dugout, and Rodriguez then answered a brief curtain call, taking a few steps up from the dugout and waving his helmet.

Redemption came to Rodriguez on the outer half of the plate, a pitch from Devil Rays right-hander Juan Salas that caught too much of the strike zone.

"It changed so much in five at-bats, like the stock market," said Rodriguez, who finished the afternoon 2-for-5 with two RBIs. "But I'll tell you what, the curtain call made me feel really good. You just build from the positive."

Despite what he described as a "pretty embarrassing" play and a "very slow" start, Rodriguez came away from his Opening Day performance smiling.

"That's one of the great things about this game. You can go from zero to hero in a heartbeat," Giambi said.

And judging from the fans, Rodriguez will stay that way -- at least until Wednesday afternoon, when the Yankees take on the Rays in Game 2 of the three-game series.

Source: Yankees

Murcer pays Yanks unexpected visit

NEW YORK -- As the Yankees prepared to bat in the bottom of the third inning on Monday, waves of applause gave way to a roaring standing ovation, working its way up from the dugout floors to the top decks of the stadium.

Bobby Murcer had returned.

The longtime Yankees broadcaster and former All-Star outfielder made a surprise appearance on Monday for what he astutely noted will be the second-to-last Opening Day at the current Yankee Stadium.

"I just think it's one of the most special days that you could ever have in baseball," Murcer said. "If you have an opportunity to be at Yankee Stadium ... I think that's very special."

That alone would make the trip a memorable and worthwhile one, but for Murcer -- who continues his fight after being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in December -- the trip took on added importance.

His lost locks of white hair are beginning to grow back in as fuzz, and he sports a scar from the surgery, just one reminder of frequent and continuing trips to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

But Murcer's voice -- the rich, warm Oklahoma twang that has greeted Yankees fans for years -- remains strong. With his body beginning to follow suit, Murcer vowed that he will return on a full-time basis to deliver broadcasts for the team he loves "very soon."

"I feel terrific, I really do," Murcer said. "My strength is pretty much all the way back now.

"I'm pretty much doing the same workouts today as before I had surgery. We're glad about that. God has been good to us and blessed us."

About 90 minutes before Murcer found himself waving toward the playing field, looking down as the Yankees ascended their dugout steps and applauded, he was reminiscing about his many Opening Days at Yankee Stadium.

The first one, back in 1966, wasn't a World Series title year, but so many of those that followed seemed to be, sprinkled among Murcer's playing and broadcast careers as sparkling gems of attendance.

"It's hard to miss Opening Day," Murcer admitted.

Before the game, Murcer was led through the Yankees clubhouse by manager Joe Torre and into the trainer's office, where a parade of players -- including Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte -- halted their pregame routines, abandoned their lockers and ventured over to wish Murcer well.

As Murcer recalled, Pettitte even went out to lunch with Murcer in Houston before reporting to Spring Training. Murcer said that the left-hander picked up the tab, though with Murcer's treatment regimen, he hadn't taken full advantage of Pettitte's generosity.

"It was only $7.95," Murcer said. "I wasn't eating much in those days."

Murcer continues to be appreciative of the overwhelming support he has received from baseball fans as his battle continues. As his energy level continues to increase, he has marveled at the love and affection that has come from all corners.

Murcer joked that he had realized he was doing pretty well in the prayers department when he started getting fan mail postmarked from pockets of Red Sox faithful along with the countless parcels of Yankees fan mail, joining in sending along warm wishes.

Murcer's wife, Kay, said that her husband has been doing "incredible."

"He's surprised all the doctors," she said. "Because he was in great physical condition going into the surgery, he has not been typical at all. I kind of knew he has not been typical for a long time."

"Now what do you mean by that?" Murcer retorted, laughing.

Indeed, Opening Day is always a day when optimism and hope reign supreme. With Murcer's arrival and presence, an overcast day in the Bronx appeared just a little bit brighter.

"It's always good to say, 'Yes, I was at Opening Day at Yankee Stadium in 2007,'" Murcer said.

Source: Yankees

Lidle's memory honored by Yankees

NEW YORK -- For a few moments on Opening Day, the loud sounds of a bustling crowd stopped. Footsteps quieted, claps sputtered out, a hush fell over the loud speakers. Yankee players donned black bands around their arms -- a tribute to the late Cory Lidle, who died in a plane crash Oct. 11, 2006.

Eager fans at Yankee Stadium looked toward the mound, where Melanie and 6-year-old Christopher Lidle stood just outside the first-base dugout, ready to throw out the ceremonial first pitches of the 2007 season. Both wore Yankees hats and held baseballs.

Parents Doug and Lisa Lidle, along with Cory's twin brother, Kevin, also huddled close.

Jason Giambi stood with his arm around Melanie as the Lidles and a packed crowd watched a video of the right-hander's life and career. Melanie looked toward the ground, tapped her hands together and took deep, jerky breaths. She pulled Christopher to her side and -- with ball in hand -- raised a couple of fingers to her face, wiping away tears.

As part of the pregame ceremony, Sgt. First Class Mary Kay Messenger, a West Point soloist, performed the national anthem, while a giant American flag was unfurled in the outfield by 40 West Point cadets. A flyover by two U.S. Navy F-18s, piloted by the Strike Fighter Squadron 34, punctuated the experience with an exclamation point.

After the video ended, Melanie reached around Christopher and squeezed him into her embrace. Cheers followed as Giambi escorted them to the mound.

Set to throw out his pitch, Christopher ran a few steps toward the plate before releasing a perfect throw to Yankees outfielder Melky Cabrera. Melanie followed with a strike to backup catcher Wil Nieves.

"It's special," Kevin Lidle said. "Getting down on the field and seeing that memorial that they had was kind of rough, kind of touching -- a little bit of everything. Made you happy. Made you sad. Got some tears out of me, but that's OK."

Lidle died in his private plane alongside flight instructor Tyler Stanger when the aircraft crashed into an apartment building on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

Yankees right fielder Bobby Abreu knew Lidle better than most Yankees. They spent the whole 2006 season together, half with the Phillies and half in the Bronx after a midseason trade. The two were friends.

But four days after the Yankees' season ended, Abreu heard the news: He wouldn't be chumming around with Lidle anymore, wouldn't be bluffing him in a game of poker and wouldn't be hearing of his flying escapades.

"It hit me very hard," Abreu said. "[The] last time I saw him, I said, 'All right, buddy, we'll see you next year.'"

Lidle died an active member on the Yankees' 40-man roster, his last start being against the Tigers in the American League Division Series. Most of his family didn't see his last start because they expected the Yankees to go deep into the playoffs.

"They said, 'We'll see them in the [AL Championship Series],' and that never happened," general manager Brian Cashman said.

Cashman remembers spotting Lidle regularly in the corner of the clubhouse last season. He would be reclining alongside ex-Yankees Sal Fasano and Craig Wilson, duking it out in "a little chess club." That was Lidle -- he enjoyed life and lived on his own terms, as Yankees center fielder Johnny Damon recalled.

Though Lidle didn't produce stellar numbers while with the Yankees -- he went 4-3 with a 5.16 ERA -- Cashman remembers two of the right-hander's crucial victories: one vs. the Blue Jays, the other against the Red Sox.

Both games were in August, and Lidle recorded two victories over 12 1/3 innings while allowing just one earned run. He struck out a combined 10 batters during those contests.

Yankees first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz held a decent line against Lidle, batting .294 in 17 at-bats with a homer, but he struck out five times in those plate appearances. Mientkiewicz never liked entering the batters box against Lidle.

"I hated it," he said. "Nasty split. Good sinker. It wasn't a day at the park. He had really, really good stuff."

Shortstop Derek Jeter never hit well against Lidle, either, recording five hits in 23 at-bats for a .217 average. The Yankees' captain remembers Lidle as a savvy pitcher who outsmarted batters with less-than-overpowering stuff, not to mention a quiet guy with a personality -- one taken away from him too soon.

"You're around your teammates pretty much more than you're around your family," Jeter said. "[The plane crash] was a terrible tragedy, something that will never be forgotten."

News of Lidle's death had Yankees manager Joe Torre musing about life and its fragile state of being. He said that the heartbreaking event should make everyone appreciate living.

Catcher Jorge Posada and third baseman Alex Rodriguez shared that same sentiment. Lidle and Posada were locker neighbors, and Posada said he wished he could go back in time and talk with Lidle. Now, the catcher said, he spends more time with his kids.

"When you talk about life and death, it just reminds you that sometimes, things can be pretty trivial," Rodriguez said. "[I'm] certainly going to miss him."

Giambi attended high school with Lidle, and both suited up as members of the 2001 Athletics. Even when they played on separate teams at the big-league level, the two would go out to dinner after their teams had faced each other. They always seemed to talked about the same thing -- who got the better of whom.

"It was fun," Giambi said. "One of your high school buddies, you know? If he got me out that day, he would call and get on me. And I took him deep a few times."

Pitchers Darrell Rasner and Sean Henn remember Lidle for his genuine interest in them as rookies last season. The two said that Lidle mentored them in their pitching and always extended invitations if he was going out to eat. Rasner remembers eating and chatting with him at an ESPN Zone restaurant near the end of the season last year.

"He really took us young guys under his wing," Henn said. "He was the first one who came up and introduced himself when I was up in September. That was kind of my lasting impression of him. He was a class-act guy."

Just before the memorial video started, Bob Sheppard announced over the loud speakers: "Now pitching ... for the Yankees ... No. 30 ... Cory ... Lidle."

The words sent chills through veins -- the last echo of a pitcher, a person, a life.

Source: Yankees

Giambi keys Yanks' comeback win

NEW YORK -- For Jason Giambi, Monday afternoon at Yankee Stadium became a public dedication to his former high school and professional teammate, Cory Lidle, who was honored in a touching pregame ceremony.

Giambi stood feet away on the infield grass as Lidle's wife, Melanie, and 6-year-old son, Christopher, lobbed first pitches toward home plate. As the crowd of 55,035 applauded the moment, Giambi choked back his emotions, enveloped in memories of the 34-year-old right-hander who perished in a Manhattan plane crash on Oct. 11.

"That was probably one of the toughest things I've ever had to do in my life, no doubt about it," Giambi said. "I've known him for a long time [and] seen his son grow up. It was a big day for us, especially when you have that kind of beginning for a player like Cory."

The Yankees' 2007 season opened Monday with raw emotion, featured the awaited return of a long-lost contributor, saw a superstar ride a roller coaster from boos to a curtain call over the course of eight innings and concluded with six unanswered runs to send the crowd home happy with a 9-5 victory over the Devil Rays.

In other words, just another day at the ballpark.

Jorge Posada and Alex Rodriguez both homered and Giambi drove in three runs -- including the tiebreaker in the seventh inning -- as the Yankees won their 10th straight home opener.

"It's emotional, but you just try to turn it into a positive and try to play well," Giambi said. "You put it in perspective. The way Cory lived life, from flying to poker to all his passions, he was one of those go-getters. I got the big hit out of the way, so I'll take it."

Opening Day always represents rebirth on the schedule, when every hitter enters the stadium tied for the league lead in batting, every pitcher is considered available in relief and most stained slates are suddenly wiped clean.

That made it a perfect opportunity for Carl Pavano -- the injury-prone right-hander who missed the last 1 1/2 seasons to a laundry list of maladies and mishaps -- to state his case for redemption.

Appearing in a Major League game for the first time since June 27, 2005, Pavano cranked his neck back and forth, twisting his body while a West Point soloist performed the national anthem. He'd later claim to have been lost in his own world of thought as the seconds to first pitch ticked down, a smattering of boos interfering with polite applause as public address announcer Bob Sheppard introduced him.

With the first pitch of New York's season -- a ball, high and away to Tampa Bay outfielder Carl Crawford -- Pavano started his long climb back.

"Every start is special for me," Pavano said. "I think every day you get to go out there and pitch is a good day, and it's something you should be excited about. ... You want to have some feedback from all the hard work. Now it's coming to fruition."

The right-hander allowed a run in the second inning and, gritting past some sloppy defense, was rapped for four runs (three earned) in the fifth inning before Yankees manager Joe Torre, hands in jacket pockets, finally snatched the ball.

With six hits, two walks, two strikeouts, a home run -- prospect Elijah Duke's first Major League hit -- and 14 total outs in the books, Pavano wasn't elated, but the Yankees viewed the start as progress.

"I think it's a good place to start from," Pavano said. "You have to start somewhere."

Four days from the moment his cleats hit the dugout concrete, Pavano is expected back on the mound at Yankee Stadium to stare down the Baltimore Orioles lineup, and that sort of accountability is progress in the team's universe.

"He still picked everybody up," Torre said. "He managed to come out of the game with what I thought was a good outing. He may have started wearing down a little bit when I came to get him, but I thought he competed."

Likewise, the Yankees offense -- one of the best bets to score 1,000 runs this season, something that was last accomplished by the 1999 Cleveland Indians -- wasted little time revving up against Tampa Bay starter Scott Kazmir.

Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu stroked first-inning singles and came around to score on a two-run Giambi single, and in the fourth, Posada clubbed the Bombers' first home run of the year, a solo shot.

By that point, Rodriguez -- the Yankees' own personal lightning rod for controversy -- had already descended into the pit of boos at Yankee Stadium, no unfamiliar place for the two-time American League MVP.

Rodriguez was cheered in introductions, but he flubbed a foul pop in the first inning and struck out in the bottom half, prompting negative reactions.

But by the late innings, with Pavano long since having headed to the showers, Rodriguez began to state his own case for redemption.

He smashed a single off the glove of Tampa Bay shortstop Ben Zobrist to open the seventh inning, then stole second base -- on his own, he said -- to get the Yankees' engine in motion.

Rodriguez raced home to become Giambi's third RBI of the game, then -- for insurance purposes -- unloaded on a Juan Salas offering to club a two-run homer, the 465th on an illustrious and growing list of deep drives.

The blast earned Rodriguez a curtain call out of the Yankees dugout, leaving the third baseman to ponder the turns of a game with so many splintering storylines.

"It changed so much in five at-bats, like the stock market," Rodriguez said. "But I'll tell you what -- the curtain call made me feel really good. You just build from the positive."

Source: Yankees

I know there are a lot of Yankee fans here on this board, so with complete respect, as a Californian, are Yankee fans really as fickle as they seem? From way over here on the west coast it seems like New Yorkers are always boo'ing someone on their own team. Lately A-Rod. But as soon as something good happens it's all cheers again. How long before he starts getting booed again?

Am I imagining things? Or are Yankee fans, at least the hardcore fans, really this up and down all the time?

Umm, there's a mix. It's not like a "unamious" thing, you know? When A-Rod came to bat people were booing and cheering. I personally was cheering for him. I like A-Rod and if he does leave at the end of the season, people will FINALLY realize how much we need him. There's fickle fans everywhere, not just in the Yankees camp.