Do You Hear What I Hear?

No, Christmas isn't approaching. That's the sound of a baseball smacking in the leather of a glove/mitt. Spring Training is finally here - the temperature in the Metropolitan area was near 60 today - and the light at the end of the winter tunnel is nearing. This is one of the best times of the baseball year. The players are friendlier and more accessible to the fans and media. Every team has high hopes for the new season, even those that know they'll be out of the pennant race by the end of April. The games don't mean much, but they give you a glimpse of future stars, and let you work the rust out of your system.

Of course there are differences between "other" team's Spring Trainings and those of the Yankees. There's usually some new free agent and/or trade acquisition signing to grab the spotlight. This year it's Johnny Damon's turn to greet the horde of media. The games do mean something to George Steinbrenner, though not as much since the Yankees stopped playing them against the Mets. This year there is also a big difference between the previous Torre-Yankees and this year's model. There are many more question marks surrounding this team than any other team since Torre took the helm prior to the 1996 season.

Carl Pavano is one of the biggest questions marks. He has so many question marks surrounding him, he looks like that guy on the infomercial selling his get rich quick scheme. Pavano missed most of his first season in the Bronx due to a shoulder injury that was believed to have been brought on by a bad back. Pavano has already seen a specialist this winter and complained of stiffness the day before the official opening of camp. For now, he's been told to stay off the mound for 10-14 days.

Another ? is the reformatting of the bullpen now that Tom Gordon is gone. Tanyon Sturtze was extremely effect in the "set up to the set up" man role last year before a tired arm screwed up his season. He too has been ordered to stay off the mound, though for just 5 days.

Bernie Williams will be learning to play the corner outfield spots - that is if he can find the time when not playing for his native Puerto Rico in the WBC.

Randy Johnson has to get used to not having a personal catcher, shake off his horrendous post-season start, and hope that his balky back doesn't bother him.

The new pitching coach has never held that duty before. The list goes on. But, and this but is bigger than David Wells's, this was the first day of Spring Training when all is good. Yes indeed, I see the Yankees going 162-0.