Welcome Back Kotter

Throw a mustache and a 'fro on Andy Pettitte and John Sebastian could start singing the theme to the Gabe Kaplan sitcom. Watching Andy on the mound in last night's 1-1, 10-inning, tie with the Atlanta Braves was a bit surreal. Especially with Roger Clemens sitting in the 1st base stands near the Yankees dugout.

Pettitte wasn't as sharp as he usually is, barely throwing more strikes than balls in his 49 pitch effort. But, he impressed the Rocket and the fans when he escaped a bases-loaded, no-out jam, with a strikeout and a tailor-made 4-6-3 double play. Pettitte pitched most of the game with a small cut on his left hand after a piece of a broken bat nicked him (no, it was not thrown by Clemens).

It's still hard to believe that Pettitte left in the first place. The Yankees clearly missed his presence in the 3 years he was gone (like when they had to turn to Kevin Brown in Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS). Pettitte was working his way up the ladder of all-time great Yankees pitchers, not just the lineage of left-handers (Whitey, Gator, Lefty, etc.). His 149 wins in pinstripes is the 9th-best mark on the team. He should finish in the top 5 if he stays healthy and plays another year. If Pettitte hadn't left, Whitey Ford's mark of 236 wins would not necessarily have been out of reach.

Here's to a healthy year for the Andyman!

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Mariano Rivera had a nice 1-2-3 inning against Cincy, and threw a change up- almost as rare a blue whale (David Wells?).

Bronson Sardinha stood out among all the veterans with another big 9th inning hit. Sardinha hit a walk-off 2-run home run on Monday to beat the Tigers. Last night he delivered the game tieing single in the 9th.

Short Stops - 3/7

John Rocker has admitted that he has used the growth hormone HGH. Gee, what a shock. Rocker's revelation came via a publicist after Sports Illustrated reported Rocker's name was on the client list of recently-busted Applied Pharmacy in Mobile, Alabama. Rocker claims he used it for medicinal reasons. Sorry, John, it won't increase the size of your brain. Fellow major leaguer David Bell, pro wrestler Kurt Angle, and champion body builder Victor Martinez (not to be confused with the Indians' catcher) were also named. Angels' centerfielder Gary Matthews Jr. was previously reported as being on the client list.

No matter the sport, can we please just ban idiots already? No not the fans, the players. Ron Artest was arrested the other day for domestic violence. Turns out now that the police were called to Artest's home 5 times since August. Two of those calls were specifically for domestic violence. Just because his wife hasn't pressed charges in the past, it doesn't mean the league shouldn't take action. Same goes for the NFL concerning Pacman Jones, Tank Johnson, and half of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Javier Vazquez just picked up a 3-year, $34 million extension from the Chicago White Sox. Amazing how much money you can make being mediocre.

Yanks Streak Comes to an E-nd

An error by young shortstop Alberto Gonzalez lead to 3 unearned runs and enabled the Cleveland Indians to rally to a 6-5 win over the Yankees in Winter Haven, Florida. The loss snapped the Yankees' unbeaten streak at 5. After trailing 2-0 early, Kevin Reese and Josh Phelps each smacked 2-run home runs to give the Yankees a 4-2 lead entering the bottom of the 7th.

The Indians put 3 on the board against prospect Russ Ohlendorf for a 5-4 lead. The Tribe added an insurance run in the 8th off of Kyle Farnsworth. They would need it as Raul Chavez knocked in a run in the 9th for the Bombers.

Chien-Ming Wang started for the Yankees and was up and down, allowing 2 runs in his 3 innings of work. Grady Sizemore lead off the bottom of the 1st with a solo home run that quickly gave the Indians the lead.

Phil Hughes looked very sharp following Wang; Hughes threw a pair of scoreless innings, picking a runner off of 1st and getting another to hit into a double play.

Reese (3) and Hidek Matsui (2) combined for 5 of the Yankees' 8 hits off of 8 Indians pitchers. Tony Sipp picked up the win for Cleveland, with Jeff Harris notching the save.

Short Stops

Gary Sheffield and the Detroit Tigers came to Legends Field to play the Yankees yesterday, so of course the media was all over it. Among the pearls of wisdom that Sheff bestowed on all ears: A-Rod will have a great year, and that opening up about his relationship with Jeter will help him immensely. Sheff had to earn every bit of respect from Joe Torre (you wanted to be treated like a king immediately Gary?). He had planned to retire before the lack of an extension from the Yankees "pushed" him to prove he could get the money. Some people just never grow up.

J.D. Drew is whining about the LA Dodgers' lack of interest once he opted out of his contract. Hmm, let's see J.D.. The Dodgers gave you a very fair contract and you decided to opt out of it because of greed. And you wonder why they don't miss you?

Bobby Murcer held a teleconference yesterday to let everyone know his spirits are good and he plans on getting back to the YES booth this year!

The Marlins' rotation took a blow when it was discovered that Josh Johnson has an irritated ulnar nerve and will miss the 1st two months of the season.

Todd Pratt's chances of making the Yankees 25-man roster has become limited by an inflamed heel. He's been shut down for at least several days. Pratt has said he would retire if he didn't make the club.

Igawa Lackluster, But Yankees Walk Off With Win

Kei Igawa's debut was nothing to write home about it, but prospect Bronson Sardinha will have plenty to talk about it after hitting a 2-out, 2-run home run in the bottom of the 9th to give the Yankees a 6-5 win over the Detroit Tigers. Former Yankee Felix Heredia had retired the 1st two batters in the 9th before allowing a single to Josh Phelps. After a wild pitch moved Phelps into scoring position, the left-handed hitting Sardinha drove a Heredia pitch deep over the wall in right for the victory. Ron Villone picked up his 2nd win of the spring.




Bronson Sardinha watches his walk-off HR





Igawa allowed single runs in each of the 1st two innings (1 IP officially), allowing 2 hits, while walking 3 and striking out 3. Hideki Matsui hit his 1st home run of the spring.

Full Box Score

Yankees Pound Phils 10-5

Carl Pavano made his much anticipated return to the mound, and the Yankees pounded out 15 hits in a 10-5 romp over the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater, FL. The victory improved the Yankees spring mark to 4-0. Pavano's 2 innings were ordinary; he allowed a run on 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out none. Jeffrey Karstens picked up the victory with a pair of scoreless innings in relief. Melky Cabrera went 3-3 as 8 different Yankees drove in a run. Raul Chavez added a pair of RBI after replacing starter Wil Nieves.

Chase Wright (2 IP 1 ER), Luis Vizcaino (1 IP 1 ER), Colter Bean (1 IP), Mike Myers (.2 IP 2 R 1 ER), and Kevin Whelan (.1 IP) also saw action on the mound, with Whelan notching his 2nd save of the spring.

Anderson Garcia took the loss for the Phillies after starter Cole Hamels tossed 3 innings of shutout ball.

Posada HRs as Yankees Rally

Jorge Posada hit his 1st home run of the spring and the Yankees rallied for 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th for a 4-3 win over Pittsburgh. Jeff Kennard picked up the victory, while Jose Veras pitched a scoreless 9th for the save.

Mike Mussina gave up a solo home run to Brad Eldred in his 2 innings of work. Matt DeSalvo, Kyle Farnsworth, and Sean Henn also threw for the Yankees. Ramiro Pena, Marcos Vechionacci, and Kevin Reese paced the offense with an RBI each.

R H E

Pirates 3 9 0
Yankees 4 6 0





Jorge goes deep

Basak Blasts Rays

Chris Basak belted a 3-run homer today as the Yankees rallied in the 7th inning to defeat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 3-1. Ron Villone picked up the victory as the Yankees improved to 2-0. Andy Pettitte made his return debut in pinstripes, throwing a pair of shutout innings. Ruddy Lugo took the loss for the Rays.

Final R H E
Yankees 3 6 1
Rays 1 5 0

5 in 100

The Yankees trailed only Colorado and Arizona for the number of players in Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects, which was released yesterday. Philip Hughes topped the Yankees' list at # 4. Jose Tabata was the Yankees' top non-pitching prospect. The outfielder came in at #27.

Also on the list were:

#57 Humberto Sanchez
#75 Joba Chamberlain
#100 Dellin Betances

Click Here to view the entire list.

Damon Starts Off With a Bang

Yankees 6 Twins 1 Final

Johnny Damon lead off the Yankees' half of the first inning with a home run off Minnesota Twins' starter Carlos Silva and the Yankees added two more runs in the first inning at Legends Field in Tampa. The Yankees loaded the bases on walks to Jason Giambi and Hideki Matsui, sandwiched around a hit-by-pitch to Alex Rodriguez. An RBI single by Jorge Posada and a ribbie grounder by Robinson Cano brought home Giambi and A-Rod. One inning later, Giambi smacked his first home run of the spring as the Bombers built a 5-0 lead.

Chien-Ming Wang was on his game from the start, retiring the side in order in the first with his trademark, the ground ball out.






Johnny Damon goes deep against Carlos Silva

Baseball is Back

The Yankees season really kicks off today when the Bombers play host to the Minnesota Twins at Legends Field in the spring training opener. Chien-Ming Wang takes to the mound at 1:15 pm to start things off. He'll be followed by Philip Hughes, Ross Ohlendorf, Luiz Vizcaino, and Mike Myers. Carlos Silva gets the nod for the Twins.

Here are today's starting lineups:

Yankees
CF Johnny Damon
SS Derek Jeter
DH Jason Giambi
3B Alex Rodriguez
LF Hideki Matsui
C Jorge Posada
2B Robinson Cano
RF Melky Cabrera
1B Doug Mientkiewicz

Twins
CF Denard Span
3B Nick Punto
RF Michael Cuddyer
1B Justin Morneau
DH Matt LeCroy
LF Jason Kubel
C Mike Redmond
2B Luis Rodriguez
SS Alexi Casilla

The game will be televised on YES; there is no radio coverage.

Transplant One Right Here

Good news for Frank Torre, Joe's big bro. He found out this week that both his son and daughter are viable candidates to give him the kidney he so badly needs.

Bobby Murcer Finishes Up Treatment

My man Bobby Murcer finishes his chemotherapy treatment in Houston today. If all goes well, he's hoping to pop into Yankees camp before the end of spring training.

Bobby also has to mark his calendar on April 30. That's when Oklahoma City University will honor him with the Abe Lemons/Paul Hansen Award for Sports Excellence at their annual Sports Spectacular dinner and auction. The award is given to those who have helped sports grow in the state of Oklahoma.

Abreu Confident of Quick Return

Bobby Abreu's injured oblique was termed significant by GM Brian Cashman, but Abreu is confident he won't miss too much time.

"It will take a couple of weeks," a calm Abreu said with ear buds in yesterday morning in the Legends Field clubhouse. "I don't worry about (being ready for Opening Day). It was painful, but it will be better."

"You don't know it's going to get worse. Sometimes you feel something and it goes away, but not that one," Abreu said.

Abreu will be completely shutdown until there is marked improvement to the area. Joe Torre and Cashman reiterated their previous statements that Abreu's injury will not mean that Bernie Williams will be asked (begged) back.



Humberto Sanchez will be shutdown for 4 or 5 more days with a forearm strain and the Yankees are considering altering his delivery to alleviate future inflammation. (Update 2:05 pm - Peter Abrams of The Journal News is reporting that Sanchez is now likely to be shut down for the next 10 days).



Andy Pettitte will be playing golf with Roger Clemens today. There will probably be some conversation like this:

Andy: "Are you going with the 5-wood or a driver here?"

Roger: "If I had to decide today, I would have to say there's an 80% of me using the driver and a 20% of me using the 5-wood. Of course, I'm nowhere near making a decision."

At the point, hopefully Pettitte will hit Clemens over the head with his putter.