Yankees baseball blog

Big Unit: No media blackout

Randy Johnson laughed this morning when asked if was no longer speaking to the media. "What would you give you that impression?" he asked. Johnson explained that when he told a reporter twice Sunday afternoon that he was "done" taking interviews, he was speaking only about yesterday and not beyond. "I had been speaking to you guys for 10 days straight and I felt like I needed a break," he said. "I figured I might as well let someone else talk to you guys for a day." Continue

Yanks go to bat for boss

At the beginning of each season, Joe Torre frequently will talk with his players - new and old - about the special circumstances that come with being a Yankee: more media attention, greater scrutiny, a certain dignity inherent in wearing the pinstripes.

And then he talks about The Boss. Every Yankee quickly learns there is nothing like playing under George Steinbrenner, who will shower his favorite players with money and praise, but also won't hesitate to fire darts at those he feels are letting him down. Continue

Money ball

Gary Sheffield, upset again over the structure of his contract, had been refusing to participate this spring training in several team functions, a person familiar with the subject told The Post. However, Sheffield met Saturday with George Steinbrenner and, according to two sources, was placated by The Boss.

Sheffield was demanding he be paid interest on the $4.5 million that is deferred without interest annually from his contract, a source said. In protest, Sheffield had not been cooperating with requests this spring from Yankee-owned YES, rejecting the network's appeals to do promos and to participate in shows and interviews, a source said. Sheffield also had been threatening not to attend the welcome home dinner in New York at the start of the season, a source said. Continue

Mariano delivers Fame pitch

Rare are the times when Mariano Rivera allows himself to shed his ice-cool, detached persona and demonstrate that he actually has a pulse, much less an ego. Maybe it was the rain, which made for extra clubhouse time and idle musings, or maybe it was the kidding he was taking over the gargantuan Nike ad billboard of him that soon will be adorning the side of a building in Times Square. But yesterday happened to be one of those occasions, when the normally soft-spoken, introspective Yankee closer stepped out of character. He's gotten way too big, a clubhouse jester told him. Bigger than the team, bigger than life. A billboard in Times Square? What's next, a plaque in Cooperstown? Continue

Option play

Besides his annoyance at Arn Tellem for advising Jason Giambi not to be more forthcoming about his steroid involvement, George Steinbrenner ripped into the agent on Saturday as a warning shot not to complicate negotiations with Hideki Matsui, a Yankee official said yesterday.

Yet Matsui may have complicated negotiations himself when he revealed a desire to play out his contract yesterday. "I just didn't expect to be evaluated after two years, and that was my original plan," Matsui said. Tellem will meet general manager Brian Cashman again in 7-10 days and doesn't think his client's desire will be a monkey wrench in talks. Continue

Sheffield will miss 3 games

Gary Sheffield's tender left shoulder likely will keep him out of the first three Grapefruit League games, Joe Torre said yesterday. Sheffield is recovering from offseason surgery and overworked the shoulder earlier this month, prompting the Yanks to proceed cautiously with him as the exhibition season begins. Torre initially ruled Sheffield out for Thursday's opener against the Pirates at Legends Field, then realized that the next two games were on the road - against Pittsburgh in Bradenton and the Tigers in Lakeland - and said he probably wouldn't play Sheffield those days either. Continue

Matsui gives talks take sign

Most players prefer to agree on a contract extension before their current deal runs out and, for the past two weeks at least, it's been assumed that Hideki Matsui felt the same way. But yesterday, the Japanese left fielder - who is entering the final season of a three-year, $21 million contract - said he would actually prefer not to ink a new pact with the Yankees until after the season. The statement was a bit surprising considering that Matsui's agent, Arn Tellem, was here Saturday and met with GM Brian Cashman to begin extension talks.

"It's actually my desire," Matsui said through an interpreter. "I'm the one who wants to play my three years (before signing a new deal)." Despite having what was called a "productive" breakfast meeting, both Cashman and Tellem said the process of working out an agreement could take some time. Tellem said that he and Cashman even "half-jokingly" talked about simply setting up an intense negotiating session after the season, in which several Yankee executives would come to Los Angeles - near his offices - and work for a week on hammering out a deal. Continue

No leaning left vs. Unit

During a mid-winter discussion, Red Sox manager Terry Francona told Trot Nixon, his right fielder, "Just get ready for the 5th (of April). Trot laughed. He knows he's probably not going to start in the opener."

That's because the Red Sox begin the season April 3 at the Stadium against Randy Johnson, the lefthander most likely to alter an opponent's lineup. Nixon, a lefthanded batter, will sit that night in favor of the righthanded Jay Payton as the Red Sox will try to get as many righties as possible into the lineup against Johnson. Continue

Still the bleepin' Boss

It's been a long time since George Steinbrenner sounded like George Steinbrenner. Yesterday, he certainly did when he ripped into Jason Giambi's and Hideki Matsui's agent. And in his first extensive interview in a year and a half, The Boss sat down Friday with the Daily News, refuting rumors about his health and well-being, and discussing key issues surrounding the team.

"I feel fine," Steinbrenner said. "Do I look sick?" Questions about Steinbrenner's health intensified after he passed out while attending NFL great Otto Graham's funeral in Sarasota, Fla., in December 2003. Those questions have not abated. On Friday, wearing a blue coat and a striped tie, Steinbrenner, 74, appeared healthy. He periodically took phone calls and barked orders to his employees during the hour-long interview in his fourth-floor Legends Field office. Continue

Randy's up & down rehearsal

And to think: the day's biggest story was supposed to be Randy Johnson facing the heart of the Yankees' order. For those who prefer home-run bombs to F bombs, Johnson served up a gopher ball to Alex Rodriguez yesterday, but otherwise came through his live BP session looking good. He faced A-Rod, Gary Sheffield, Derek Jeter and minor-league catcher Jon-Mark Sprowl. Johnson said he's still trying to get a feel for his slider — which he said he threw for only the second time. "I got a little winded, but everything's good," Johnson said. Continue

Slow go for Mo

While the rest of the relievers threw batting practice yesterday for the second time in spring training, Mariano Rivera again opted to throw on the side. After not throwing at all this winter, Rivera is intentionally taking it slow to gradually build up his arm strength. "I haven't stopped throwing - I've been throwing since I got here," Rivera said. "I just want to take my time . . . I have enough time to get ready."

Randy Johnson was scheduled to throw batting practice Friday, but it was pushed back a day in part to allow his slightly injured left calf an extra deal to heal. He threw without problems yesterday to Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Gary Sheffield and spring invite Jon-Mark Sprowl. A-Rod hit a line-drive home run to leftfield off Johnson. Continue

Giambi, Matsui left in middle

Minutes after dropping an F-bomb about Jason Giambi's agent, George Steinbrenner gave Giambi a big hug at the end of yesterday's workout at Legends Field. Giambi, who is embarking on the crossroads season of his career, is now faced with the additional distraction of hearing that Steinbrenner clearly hates his agent, Arn Tellem. But the Yankees' first baseman adeptly straddled the fence yesterday upon news of Steinbrenner's bleep show against Tellem.

Giambi said Steinbrenner's contention that the player could speak publicly about grand jury testimony was "not the way I understand it. "I was told by Arn and my attorney that [court officials] really didn't want us talking about it," he said. Of Steinbrenner, Giambi said, "I like the Boss. I love the Boss, actually." Of Tellem, Giambi said, "He's incredible. He's got some of the biggest names in the game. If he's doing his job, he's going to make some people upset, I guess." Continue

Sheffield: Left shoulder still a burden

Gary Sheffield admitted that his surgically repaired left shoulder has kept him from progressing as quickly as he usually does during spring training, and Joe Torre said yesterday Sheffield won't play in the Bombers' intra-squad games tomorrow or Tuesday. The right fielder may also sit out some of the early Grapefruit League games that begin Thursday. Two weeks ago, Sheffield took three days off because he had taken too many swings and irritated the shoulder, and Torre is being cautious with him. Sheffield's swing is one of the hardest in the game and while he has tried to take "easy swings" recently, it's been difficult. Continue

Big guns won't bus to face Sox

When the Red Sox host their blood rivals in Fort Myers on March 7, they may see more Columbus Clippers than Yankees. Yankee manager Joe Torre said yesterday that none of his top five starters will be making the lengthy bus ride that day, and hinted that few regulars will be on the trip. "I mean obviously, we'll bring starters," Torre said. "I'm not going to purposely not bring starters because we're going to play the Red Sox. "But I'm not going to feel obligated that I need to bring a full contingent."

Torre explained that the Yankees have a home game against Cleveland that day in Tampa and will travel on March 8 to play Atlanta. Meticulous planners Torre and pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre already have their spring rotation pretty much set. Continue

Steinbrenner: Agent, not court, silencing Giambi

Yankees owner George Steinbrenner blames Jason Giambi's agent for not allowing the slugger to address questions about his testimony to a grand jury that he used steroids. "The court told Jason that he could say anything he wanted to," Steinbrenner said Saturday. "The court gave him permission. And Arn Tellem says no, he doesn't. He doesn't say anything."

"I just don't like the guy," Steinbrenner added, regarding Tellem. The San Francisco Chronicle reported in December that Giambi told a federal grand jury in 2003 that he had used steroids. Giambi apologized during a news conference in New York on Feb. 10, but didn't say why he was apologizing. Continue

Hideki, Yanks to meet & eat

Hideki Matsui wants to remain with the Yankees and the Yankees want to keep him. Now all that needs to be worked out is the price. That process begins this morning, when Matsui's agent, Arn Tellem, meets with GM Brian Cashman to open negotiations on a contract extension for the Japanese left fielder. "I'm confident that we will get something done," Tellem said yesterday. "Everyone wants to make it work, we just need to figure out the numbers. When will it happen? That I don't know, but I am very optimistic about the situation." Continue

Brown to get started

The Yankees will play intrasquad games Monday and Tuesday, and usually none of the front-line pitchers sees action. This year, one of them asked to. Kevin Brown, who began spring training by saying he wanted to take things slower, volunteered to pitch in Tuesday's game because he doesn't particularly like throwing live batting practice, which is how the hurlers have been doing their throwing. "I think it'll be like an extra game for him," Joe Torre said yesterday. Continue

No Big Hurt

Whether it was due to a recent tweak of Randy Johnson's left calf or the master plan of pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, the Big Unit was held back from throwing yesterday. Johnson was the only member of the starting rotation who didn't chuck live BP to Yankee hitters, but fans (and executives) shouldn't fret yet.

All parties insist the new staff ace is fine, and the end result is that he should still be ready for the ESPN-televised exhibition opener on Thursday afternoon against Pittsburgh. In other words, don't call it a setback. Johnson is scheduled to throw live batting practice today. Continue

Jeter wish Fleet-ing

A New York lawyer and Yankees fan went down swinging yesterday in his bid to turn a Boston arena into the House That Jeter Built. Kerry Konrad's winning offer to rename the FleetCenter for a day in honor of Yankee captain Derek Jeter was rejected by arena officials, who were auctioning off the name on eBay to raise money for charity.

"They were going to have to answer the phone all day, 'Hello, Derek Je-tuh Cen-tuh,'" Konrad said, mimicking a Boston accent. "I was just going to keep calling them all day just to hear that." The Manhattan lawyer bid $2,325 for the rights to rename the home of the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins - and to tweak his Red Sox-loving pals from Harvard's class of 1979. Continue

Pressure for HRs?

A former minor-league teammate of Jason Giambi said in a to-be-released issue of GQ that Giambi felt pressure from the Athletics to become a home-run hitter. Terance Frazier, described as Giambi's closest friend and confidant at Class A Modesto, Calif., told the magazine: "He was getting pressure from the organization. He said they were telling him he needed to hit home runs. He was getting frustrated."

According to a San Francisco Chronicle story late last year, Giambi admitted to a federal grand jury investigating BALCO that he used performance-enhancing steroids and human growth hormone for at least three seasons. Giambi refuses to answer direct questions about his steroid use, but he says he told the truth to the grand jury. Sandy Alderson, who was the Oakland general manager at the time, could not be reached for comment. (Newsday 2/26/05)

Jason gets a big lift

The rebuilding of Jason Giambi's body is complete. Now we will see if the strict workout program can help Giambi resurrect a baseball career. Giambi flexes his biceps and the ink ripples on his tattoos. His chest looks like a body builder's again. Legs that turned soft thanks to a 2004 knee operation provide a solid base.

According to Giambi's leaked BALCO grand-jury testimony, he stopped using performance-enhancing drugs in July 2003. Since then, he hit .218 with 31 homers and 84 RBIs. In that time, he battled an intestinal parasite and a benign tumor on his pituitary gland. And Giambi carried around the guilt of knowing he told the truth to the grand jury but very few other people did about steroid use. Continue

Quiet Hideki a real pro

Hideki Matsui still plays for the Yankees, just in case you needed that information. The highest-profile athlete in an entire country is the lowest-maintenance player in baseball's most glamorous clubhouse. You might say it's the language barrier, but nothing much is lost in translation to Matsui.

"I'm aware of everything going on," he said through his translator, Rogelio Kahlon, when each Yankees controversy was ticked off. Jason Giambi, check. Vitriolic Red Sox quotes, check. The perception of a cold war between Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, check. Matsui has an antenna for such things. As Yankees assistant GM Jean Afterman said, "He grew up on the Yomiuri Giants as the most covered player on the most covered team." Continue

Felix dazzles with flame throwing flair

Felix Rodriguez showed off the kind of power arm the Yankees lust for yesterday. Before you start getting excited, remember Jay Witasick possessed that kind of power arm also. And Rodriguez was only throwing batting practice. However, there was no doubt the right-handed reliever was impressive yesterday on the main mound at Legends Field. "He was throwing pellets," said Jorge Posada, who faced Rodriguez in the same group as Derek Jeter, Gary Sheffield and Jason Giambi. "Everything was hard." Jeter struggled to get out of the cage and Rodriguez broke Sheffield's bat. Giambi fared the best, roping liners to right-center.

"They lied," Rodriguez said when told of the hitters being impressed with his velocity and split-fingered fastball. With Tom Gordon set to work the eighth inning this season, Mike Stanton on hand to face left-handed hitters, Tanyon Sturtze the long man and spot starter, roles will be defined in the bullpen for Paul Quantrill, Steve Karsay and Rodriguez. Continue

Gordon has flashes

om Gordon didn't throw off a mound once in the offseason. Instead, he spent his time fishing, wondering how his stellar 2004 season came to such an awful end. "It took a while for me to get through, to get over it," Yankees setup man Gordon said yesterday. "And even sometimes, I still talk to my friends and family about it. I still think about it.

"I want to be past it. I want to get over it. I want it to be behind me." Gordon has been a closer before, so he knows he's supposed to forget about his last game and move on to the next. But it's difficult when his next game is months away. Continue

The fall guy

Randy Johnson has yet to unleash a pitch in a game that doesn't count and he already understands the Yankees don't move through spring training hoping to have a good year. Johnson knows October is the only month that counts for the Bombers. And he accepts that last year's meltdown against the World Champion Red Sox is the reason he was acquired to front a rebuilt starting rotation. So, Johnson will accept a reduced workload for six months if it means being fresh for the postseason.

Only in the Yankees' universe are the playoffs on the table during the second day of spring training. "They are playing additional games after the 162," Johnson said yesterday following a 10-minute batting practice session at Legends Field in which he faced Ruben Sierra, Rey Sanchez and Omir Santos in front of 2,346 fans. "They plan for that. They are not going to have me go out there and throw 135 pitches because getting to the end of the season, winning the division and being in the postseason is more important to have me as fresh as possible. In the past, sometimes I have pushed the envelope and stayed out there too long. That's not happening on a regular basis with Joe [Torre] and Mel [Stottlemyre]." Continue

Insulting? Has that ring to it

After suffering what might be the worst choke in sports history last October, the Yankees have one more indignity to face before the healing can truly begin - being at Fenway while the Red Sox get their World Series rings April 11. The Red Sox announced yesterday that their players and uniform personnel will get their rings in a pregame ceremony that will also include the raising of the championship banner when the Yanks meet the Sox in Boston's home opener.

Team officials and players also said the timing had nothing to do with spite or to throw more tinder on an already-blazing rivalry. But one team bigwig, Larry Lucchino, who is responsible for the "Evil Empire" crack a few years ago, did allow that it was perhaps fitting for the Yankees to be on the schedule for the event. "I suppose you could make that argument," he said. "They are our most intense rival, so Opening Day has a certain special relish as a result of that. But I think a Red Sox-Yankee game is special anytime and doesn't necessarily need the hype. Continue

First pitch

Randy Johnson delivered fastballs that he wryly quantified as "62 3/4" percent of his maximum effort. In Jorge Posada's determination, Johnson "flipped" his sliders toward the plate rather than unleashing them with menace. Johnson made no effort yesterday to evade the bats of Ruben Sierra, Rey Sanchez and Omir Santos.

Yet on a sunny, hot day at Legends Field, Johnson was like a toreador in the middle of a bullring or a giraffe in the zoo. "You are going to pay attention when he is out there," Joe Torre said. It does not matter if there is a protective screen in front of him, a bucket of baseballs off to the side and he is apprising new teammates of what pitch is coming in advance. Continue

Kinder & gentler maybe, but buck still starts & stops with The Boss

George Steinbrenner walked quickly along the path between the main stadium at Legends Field and the tunnel that leads back toward the clubhouse, a determined look on his face. Reporters gathered and fired a few questions at The Boss, but Steinbrenner - as he has done more and more lately - brushed them aside. "I've got nothing to say," he said, striding toward the ubiquitous golf cart that ferries him around the complex. "No comment." That changes when he's away from the microphones and tape recorders, however, and those close to The Boss say he is displeased with the increasingly popular notion that he's no longer the dominant figure atop the Yankee chain of command.

Steinbrenner's decision to limit his public comments is a calculated move to give his words more weight, according to his spokesman, Howard Rubenstein. "It's very tactical," Rubenstein said. "It was his decision. He used to just shoot off at the hip, but about a year ago, a little more maybe, he realized it would be better to have more measured thoughts. Now when he says something, it's back-page news even if it's just a one-liner." Continue

This year's revamped rotation lets Joe & Mel breathe easily

Sitting stoically on the elevated stand behind the batting cage, their eyes affixed on Mike Mussina throwing his final pitches to Hideki Matsui, Joe Torre and Mel Stottlemyre appeared to be oblivious to the buzz of anticipation from the biggest freebee crowd of the Yankees' young spring.

In a few moments, the buzz would build to a full-blown crescendo of applause as Randy Johnson strode from the dugout to the mound for his first official "pitching to live batters" outing in a Yankee uniform. For Torre and Stottlemyre, however, the Big Unit was only one component of the considerable anticipation yesterday. Like movie directors, they sat there mind-judging the audition of their new "Fab Five" rotation that, after Mussina and Johnson, followed with two other erstwhile No.1 starters in Carl Pavano and Kevin Brown, with Jaret Wright, the 15-game winner for the Atlanta Braves last year, bringing up the rear. Continue

Ortiz knows he's forever Boss' MVP

David Ortiz grinned his big grin and laughed. He was talking about a recent conversation he had with his agent, Fern Cuza, in which Cuza had told the Red Sox first baseman a bit of Yankee lore. Before he signed with the Sox two winters ago, Ortiz had caught George Steinbrenner's eye and The Boss suggested to his general manager, Brian Cashman, that the Yankees sign Ortiz. But there was no spot for him because the Yanks already had a $120 million first baseman, Jason Giambi, and their best prospect, Nick Johnson, played the position, too.

Now that Ortiz is a full-blown Yankee killer and has had two huge seasons for Boston, Steinbrenner has offered "I told you sos" to his GM. Ortiz laughed again when he heard that and shook his head. "I feel bad for Cashman," he said. "I really appreciate that Mr. George thought about me for those moments. George, he's one guy who likes to win. That you can see from anywhere. Continue

Chasin' Jason

Joe Torre arrived at the batting cage as Jason Giambi stepped in. Behind Torre 130 media members stood in front of 2,772 Yankee fans watching the first full-squad workout of spring training at Legends Field. Derek Jeter and Gary Sheffield had finished their initial hacks of spring when Giambi sauntered into the cage carrying so much baggage he could have used a bellman with a cart.

Not only was this the first gathering of the Yankees since the disastrous seventh game of the ALCS, this was the first step of Giambi's colossal climb from the embarrassment of being the face of steroids back to being a productive big leaguer. Continue

A-Rod's all bulked up

Thanks to a winter of pumping iron, Alex Rodriguez' chest looks like something out of an NFL locker room, say in the area of a strong safety. In fact, his whole body looks more developed than a year ago. The 6-foot-3 A-Rod played last year at 210 pounds. Monday when he took a physical, he was 225 and said his body fat had been reduced.

"It feels better to be stronger," said A-Rod, whose chiseled body has him hitting balls harder at this time than a year ago. Whether that translates into more than the 36 homers he clubbed last year remains to be seen. (NY Post)

Barry takes his cuts

Barry Bonds sat behind a small table at yesterday's news conference here, but he may as well have been in the batter's box. The beleaguered slugger took the media's best pitches, watching some go by, fouling off others and, as usual, slamming many out of the park.

The 40-year-old Giants star broke his silence for the first time since his grand jury testimony in the BALCO case was leaked in December. His handlers said questions about BALCO and his personal life were off limits, but the topic of steroids dominated the 30-minute session with reporters on the day Bonds reported to spring training. Continue

Moral of the Torre

Talent is not Joe Torre's problem. As he scanned his clubhouse yesterday, shortly after 9:30 a.m., the Yankee manager recognized he did not have to sell his players, 18 of whom have already played in an All-Star Game, on whether this club has championship-level abilities.

Yet, this was Torre's most delicate first-day address to a Yankee full squad in his decade on the job. He had to find just the right way to acknowledge last year's ALCS collapse while not further shattering a group confidence left in shards by the Red Sox. He had to mention the loose-lipped liberties being taken at the Yankee expense, especially in Boston's clubhouse, without elevating the impact of those words. Continue

Damon: No dope on Jason

Johnny Damon and Jason Giambi were teammates in Oakland in 2001, which is one of the years that Giambi reportedly used steroids. But Damon, now a member of the Red Sox, said he did not know whether the Yankees' DH had used steroids when they played together. The San Francisco Chronicle reported last December that Giambi admitted to the grand jury that he had used performance-enhancing drugs.

"The one thing I can say is, if he did, I didn't know," Damon said. "I've never been around anyone who's injected themselves with steroids or taken steroids. If he did, I can't tell you 100% sure." Damon went on to call Giambi "the best teammate I ever had," adding, "the way he carried that clubhouse in Oakland in 2001, you just saw greatness. He took everyone out and the guys out, made everyone feel comfortable and ran a great clubhouse. It's unfortunate. "I'm hoping he goes out and has a big year - hopefully those 19 games against us he doesn't do as well." (Daily News)

Bernie at center stage

The first $200 million team in baseball history took the field yesterday and Bernie Williams was in the middle of it all. Fourteen seasons after playing his first game for the Yankees, Williams enters the last year of his contract not knowing whether this will be his final spring training in pinstripes. "I've been here way too much time to worry about stuff like that," the 36-year-old Williams said. "Some days I feel like I want to retire right at that moment, some days I want to play the next 10 years. At this point, it might not be my decision to make."

Indeed, the Yankees have an option on Williams' contract after this season, but are unlikely to exercise it. There is a chance Williams could re-sign with the Yanks in a different role, but it's hard to imagine the Bombers looking at him as an everyday center fielder beyond this year. Continue

Sheff's time to heal

Gary Sheffield isn't sure if six weeks is enough time for him to regain full strength in his surgically repaired left shoulder, but he is sure that he didn't mean to offend Jason Giambi with his comments to reporters last week. That's why Sheffield called Giambi after he was quoted as saying, "I'm not like Jason Giambi. I'm not going to sit here and cry about things being unfair or attacks are unfair."

Sheffield wasn't sure if Giambi was offended, but wanted to clear the air before spring training opened. Giambi said he has no problems with Sheffield. "I didn't want him to get caught up in any headlines and things like that," Sheffield said yesterday. "I just wanted to tell it to him like I really said it. That's what I'm all about. Any time I ever feel like saying something to somebody, I take it straight to him. That's what I've always done." Continue

Jason feeling right at home

Jason Giambi looked like a human being yesterday. Sounded like one, too. Standing in front of his locker at Legends Field, Giambi was candid - or at least as candid as he possibly could be - in answering questions about his past and future, admitting to fear about whether his Yankee career had ended earlier this winter and pledging to speak with each of his teammates individually.

No, he still didn't utter the word "steroids," but he did acknowledge the emotions he felt in the days after the San Francisco Chronicle reported the contents of his grand jury testimony in the BALCO case. The Bombers were investigating whether they could void Giambi's contract, while he was wondering if his life was about to fall apart. Continue

Sox to get rings in front of Yanks

Bling, bling! If the Yankees don't want to see the Red Sox receive their World Series rings at Boston's home opener, it looks as if they're going to have to close their eyes. The Red Sox are expected to announce today that they will give out their World Championship rings on April 11 when the Yankees visit Fenway. After 86 years of suffering, the fans want it that way and so does Curt Schilling, so it makes perfect sense that it will happen.

Red Sox chairman Tom Werner said yesterday the final decision will be announced today. The Red Sox will give out a total of 500 rings to employees, not all in front of the Yankees. "I think anybody who is in the organization deserves to be thanked by all of us for what they did," Werner said. "I know the list is pretty deep, but it's appropriate because I think everybody deserves to be a part of this." Continue

Sheffield shrugs off swing-itis

The competitor in Gary Sheffield caused his surgically repaired left shoulder to bark last week. "He tried to take as many swings as [Derek] Jeter and got a little cranky," Joe Torre said of a batting-practice session at the minor league complex. "He is better now." Torre saw Sheffield in the trainer's room, where he received treatment. They also talked by phone. "He seems fine," Torre said of his right fielder and No. 3 hitter.

"The other day he tried to do too much but that was basically all it was. There was no damage done because he is fine now. He is going to have to take maybe not as many swings as somebody who didn't have surgery." GM Brian Cashman isn't concerned because his medical staff isn't telling him to be. "He is going through the rehab process," Cashman said. "The doctor and trainers haven't told me I should be concerned, so I am not. I don't anticipate any problem." Continue

Yanks applaud the effort

It would seem natural for Jason Giambi to address the Yankees as a group, perhaps taking the floor during this morning's team meeting to talk about his difficult winter and thank his teammates for their support. But there will be no speech. Giambi said yesterday he will find time to speak with each player individually, and if his 40 minutes of autograph-signing yesterday is any indication, he's also planning on winning the fans over the same way.

Mike Mussina, who hadn't yet spoken with Giambi, said Giambi's decision to do one-on-one conversations was probably the best choice. In recent seasons, David Wells and Kevin Brown stood up in front of the team after an awkward incident, but Giambi opted for a different tact. "Sometimes group things can seem like they're rehearsed," Mussina said. "You don't get a chance to really talk and the group that's listening doesn't respond the way someone would when it's two guys talking. It's probably beneficial for everybody to do it, whether it's a chat by the cage or when we're stretching. It's a fine way to approach it." Continue

Giambi: Sheff called, we're OK

Jason Giambi said he plans to talk to each of his teammates this spring to make sure there aren't any rifts because of the controversy surrounding him, but Gary Sheffield beat him to it. According to Giambi, Sheffield called him recently to talk about Sheffield's comments in which the Yankee right fielder said: "I'm not like Jason Giambi. I'm not going to sit here and cry about things being unfair or attacks are unfair."

The two players have been linked since both were named in the BALCO investigation, though Giambi has become the bigger target, particularly after the San Francisco Chronicle reported his grand jury testimony in the BALCO case included an admission of steroid use. Continue

Lofton lashes into Torre over last year

Kenny Lofton is no longer in pinstripes and he couldn't be happier about it. On his first day as a member of the Phillies, Lofton ripped Joe Torre and said he didn't get a fair chance to play during his one season in the Bronx. "It was all on Joe Torre," Lofton said yesterday in Clearwater, Fla. "He didn't want me to play. He makes out the lineup. That's the bottom line. It bothered me last year, because I feel I'm a guy who still could play. If a team doesn't feel I should play, they need to just send me home or send me somewhere else where I can play." Continue

Hot Trot cools off on A-Rod

Another day at Red Sox camp, another A-Rod story. Trot Nixon, who ignited a Boston barrage of criticism of the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez last week, seemed contrite at times yesterday while revisiting his remarks. But he did not back off the rips that made it clear that A-Rod is perhaps the most despised man in Beantown, at least among the Sox. Nixon even offered small compliments to Rodriguez, but his annoyance with the Yankee third baseman still was evident. Continue

Rodriguez manages to make a no-win situation worse

In many ways, Alex Rodriguez was in a no-win situation as he arrived here yesterday, knowing that everyone was waiting to see how he would respond to the Red Sox treating him like a punching bag all week. If he fires back, tells Trot Nixon and friends to shut up and act like world champions, then you can make a case that it looks as if the Sox have gotten into his head. On the other hand, if he takes the high road and refuses to roll around in the mud with the Sox, you can argue that he doesn't have the backbone to make a stand for himself.

Either way, he wasn't going to be able to put this issue to rest with some magic words. The way the Sox continue lining up to hammer A-Rod - yesterday, Kevin Millar took his hacks - there's a better chance of Barry Bonds chasing Hank Aaron without the steroids cloud over his head than A-Rod escaping this peculiar obsession his rivals have with him. Turned out he thought it best not to escalate the war of words, which was fine. The only way he can truly shut the Sox up is with his bat and glove this season, so if he wanted to cite "the Yankee way" as reason for not taking any public offense to their attacks, A-Rod had every right. Continue

Torre laments 'Lack of respect'

The Red Sox rip Alex Rodriguez. Football players celebrate the most mundane play. And Joe Torre has a theory why there isn't more class in sports. "It covers everywhere. Check our music lately, there is not a whole lot of (class) that goes on there," Torre said. "As a whole, there is a lack of respect. It's unfortunate and I know that I speak for my generation, but it's reality. I don't know. It certainly is against the grain for me."

While Torre understands everybody is entitled to their perspective, he doesn't like to see athletes showing up the other side. "I get turned off by a lot of the antics on the parts of wide receivers and stuff," Torre said. "I would like to believe when we win as a team, you understand how tough it is to win and you respect the other team that tried to beat you. You have to understand there is somebody else trying to do the same thing you are." Continue

Giambi up next for Yanks

With Alex Rodriguez's anxiously awaited press conference conducted yesterday, the stage is now clear for Jason Giambi. The Yankees' embattled slugger will be at Legends Field today for his preseason physical and what surely will be a second round of questions regarding his alleged steroid use. Giambi was expected here yesterday, too, but called team officials to say travel delays would keep him from showing up at the complex, though he had arrived in town. The San Francisco Chronicle reported in December that Giambi's grand jury testimony in the BALCO case included an admission of steroid use, but Giambi wouldn't confirm the accuracy of the report in a bizarre press conference at the Stadium two weeks ago.

On that day, Giambi apologized numerous times for distractions he may have caused the Yanks, but refused to specify why he was apologizing, citing the advice of his lawyers, and never once uttered the word "steroids." Today figures to be a similar runaround, though there are several baseball-related questions that Giambi may find equally uncomfortable. Joe Torre has said several times that Giambi is by far the biggest question mark for the Bombers this spring and added that the coaching staff will probably pay much more attention to Giambi's activities than any other player. Continue

Millar swings away

Never-shy first baseman Kevin Millar bounced into Red Sox camp, and yes, it was only a matter of time. By constantly comparing the merits of Derek Jeter versus Alex Rodriguez, Millar more than backed up teammate Trot Nixon's contention from last week that A-Rod is not "the Yankee type." "Derek Jeter, he's a Yankee, period. Alex Rodriguez's salary doesn't dictate that he's a Yankee. Just because he's making $25 million doesn't mean he's a Yankee," Millar said.

"Jeter, check his fingers out. How many rings does he have? Four? Check his jewelry out, that's not a bad record. "Alex Rodriguez, I don't know him. ... But I know one thing, a lot of us in this locker room, we watch a guy like Derek Jeter play over and over. And he's a winner. "I don't know if (Rodriguez) grasps for that respect, or whatever, but you don't need to tell people you're an upper tier player or that you work out seven hours a day, or you're up at 4. Like Nixon said, (Jorge) Posada, Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, you don't hear anything. Who's the one guy you hear something (from) over there?" Continue

A-Rod admits Sox are right

The Red Sox have treated Alex Rodriguez like a birthday-party piñata recently, lining up patiently for the chance to take a whack at A-Rod's polished veneer. But they have not broken him. Rodriguez arrived at Legends Field yesterday — one day before he's required to be here — and did not fire back at his attackers, even as the procession of rips continued with Kevin Millar saying that "just because he's making $25 million doesn't make him a Yankee" and Keith Foulke telling reporters to "ask (Rodriguez) who's got the (bleeping) ring."

Clearly prepared (despite saying he had not paid much attention to the rash of insults), A-Rod gave safe, respectful answers to a string of questions and the closest he came to taking a shot at the Red Sox was when he referred to pitcher Bronson Arroyo as "Brandon." Continue

A-Rod alone in Yanks' house

Alex Rodriguez didn't need to hear that Trot Nixon, of all people, called him a clown last week to know how much the Red Sox despise him. But surely he found out just where he stands in his own clubhouse when Derek Jeter, the captain, Yankee spokesman and one-time pal, didn't feel obliged to defend him even a little bit. Not that he was under any illusion about his relationship with Jeter, after the Yankee shortstop made it clear last season that they would never be close again after A-Rod's infamous digs at the Yankee captain in Esquire Magazine in 2001.

But you couldn't blame A-Rod for thinking Jeter would at least put up a united front against the enemy, as the Sox players took turns firing away. After all, Jeter and other Yankees have made a point of saying nice and supportive things about Jason Giambi, a supposed steroids outcast. Yet basically they turned their backs on A-Rod last week, confirming the picture that emerged last year of A-Rod on an island in the Yankee clubhouse - judged as a little too calculating and image-conscious to be one of the boys. Continue

Jury's still out on this Yank

Joe Torre doesn't like to stand directly behind any of his three new starting pitchers while they're throwing a bullpen session because he doesn't want them to feel like they suddenly have to look sharp while the manager is watching. When it comes to Jason Giambi, however, it will be hard for Torre - and anyone else, for that matter - not to stare. In fact, Torre even admitted that while most veteran players are given the freedom to get ready for the season at their own pace, Giambi will "probably get more attention than the other guys" over the next six weeks, starting today when the slugger is expected to make his first appearance at Legends Field.

"I think everything he does is going to be a curiosity," Torre said. Whether Giambi decides to show up today or tomorrow - when position players are slated to take their physicals - he will face another barrage of questions about steroids. The San Francisco Chronicle reported in December that Giambi's grand jury testimony in the BALCO case included an admission of steroid use, but at a press conference in New York 10 days ago Giambi wouldn't confirm whether the Chronicle's report was accurate. Continue

Pitcher of preparation

Randy Johnson put down his carton of Muscle Milk, the supplement he was drinking, and reached into his locker and showed a group of reporters a sleek knee brace that he wears when he's pitching. The brace is really nothing more than a rubber sleeve, Johnson said, but it has a secret ingredient. "This isn't BALCO," Johnson joked. "It's from a company in Japan. It isn't illegal and I had Major League Baseball approve it." The brace was dipped in liquid titanium, Johnson said, which seeps into the skin over time and improves blood flow in Johnson's troublesome right knee.

Johnson also uses a lotion produced by the company, Phiten, which he rubs on his knee and his back and has another brace that he wears on his back. His involvement with Phiten is an example, Johnson said, of his willingness to go beyond conventional thinking to be a better pitcher. "I've gone out of my general circle for advice," Johnson said yesterday, a few hours after throwing his second bullpen session as a Yankee. "There's much more than knowing how to throw a fastball and setting up a hitter. You're constantly learning that, too, but there's more. Continue

Hideki still has a yen for Yankees

Hideki Matsui's contract expires at the end of this season, but the Yankees left fielder says he doesn't want to play anywhere but the Bronx. "I'd like to play with the Yankees as long as possible," Matsui said through an interpreter yesterday. "That's my desire." The Yankees feel the same way, and Matsui's agent, Arn Tellem, is expected to be in Tampa near the end of the month to begin negotiations on a contract extension.

Matsui would prefer to get a deal done before the end of spring training so that he doesn't have to entertain questions about his status throughout the regular season. "I don't think it would influence my performance," he said, "but it would be nice if I don't get questions like that during the season on a regular basis." Said Joe Torre: "If he is (affected), I'd be surprised. He's too professional. He knows what his job is and he's going to let the rest of it go and see what happens." Continue

All eyes & ears on Alex

lex Rodriguez will have a chance to defend himself today when the Yankee third baseman reports to spring training. A-Rod, who has been targeted by Red Sox pitchers Curt Schilling, David Wells, Bronson Arroyo and Matt Mantei, as well as by Boston outfielder Trot Nixon, could fire back with force. Or, as many expect he'll do, he may follow George Steinbrenner's lead and simply say that the teams will settle their differences on the field.

It may be hard for A-Rod to hold his tongue. Nixon called him a "clown," Wells said he's got to earn the right to refer to the championship Yankee teams as "we," Schilling said his slap play on Arroyo in Game 6 of last year's was "bush league" and Arroyo followed that up by saying that play may cause some observers to view A-Rod as a "dirty player." Mantei simply said he was a little "big-time." Continue

Let 'em talk!

With their universe absorbing verbal grenades launched by the Red Sox, the Yankees are saving their ammunition for the diamond. Even Commander-In-Chief George Steinbrenner, a big fan of George Patton's and who said last spring that Bosox owner John Henry resembled the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz, is avoiding retaliation.

In his first appearance at Yankee camp yesterday, Steinbrenner greeted his biggest weapon, Randy Johnson, and parroted his players and Joe Torre when it came to the abuse aimed at Alex Rodriguez by Curt Schilling, Trot Nixon and David Wells and Wells scuffing Joe Torre and Mel Stottlemyre. "We will play the game on the field," Steinbrenner vowed in response to A-Rod being criticized by the defending World Champions. Continue

The poster boy of idiot nation

Only now can the Red Sox be fully known as the "Idiots." Because only now is David Wells on their roster. Wells opened his mouth Thursday and reporters were there, always a bad combination for the lefty. By the time he was done speaking as a Red Sox, Wells had made it obvious he yearns to be a Yankee and, as usual, he has as good a grip on reality as ever. Which is to say none. Unfortunately for Boomer, his ERA could never be as low as his IQ. Wells said he offered up his services to the Yankees and sounded stunned they didn't want him back. Perhaps all that beer he brags about consuming has begun to wipe away his memory — or conscience. So as a reminder, Dave, these were your last two acts as a Yankee employee:

1. Pulling out of Game 5 of the 2003 World Series after one inning with a bad back, a day after bragging you did not have to work out like Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte.

2. Reneging on a handshake deal to return to the Yankees to sign for more money with the Padres.

Continue

Tony aims to lead off

Derek Jeter worked out for the first time yesterday with his new double play partner, Tony Womack, and both players said later it won't take them very long to get used to turning two with each other. What might linger is the Yankees' decision on which of the pair will bat leadoff this season. Jeter hit first 61 times last year, but Womack said he's "always been a leadoff guy and that's what I consider myself." But there's no "who's up first" controversy.

Joe Torre says he has played around with lineups, but only to try to come up with a place to put Jason Giambi. Since Torre has also called Giambi his biggest question mark of the spring, that may take a while, too. "I have nothing set in stone," Torre said. "Because you hit in a certain place, I don't want you to be a different player. Womack is a leadoff hitter; he knows what he likes to do as a leadoff hitter, and if he's hitting somewhere else in the lineup, I don't want him to be any different." Continue

Randy may start opener

Randy Johnson was talking to a few reporters yesterday when George Steinbrenner walked into the clubhouse, went straight over to the Big Unit and clapped him on the shoulder. "Hey big man, glad to see you!" The Boss boomed. After a quick glance at Johnson's relatively clean-shaven face - he used to have a noticeable "soul patch" beneath his lower lip - Steinbrenner added, "Glad to see you cleaned up and glad you're here!" The Boss isn't the only one. Earlier yesterday, Joe Torre said Johnson probably would be the Yanks' Opening Day starter.

That's not a big surprise, but Torre won't make the decision official until later in the spring because he wants to be able to tell the other starters what order they'll pitch in, too. Despite speculation that he'd get the ball against the Red Sox on April 3, Johnson said he didn't take the assignment for granted, particularly since Mike Mussina has been with the Bombers longer than the other pitchers on staff and got the nod for last season's opener. Continue

Sox throw A-Rod changeup

Bronson Arroyo, the member of the Red Sox most directly involved in the two controversial plays last season with Alex Rodriguez, actually defended the Yankees' embattled star yesterday, unlike most of his teammates have this week. For good measure, however, Arroyo and Sox captain Jason Varitek did mix in a few more pile-on jabs.

Arroyo plunked A-Rod with a pitch to trigger a bench-clearing brawl July 24 at Fenway Park, and had the ball swatted out of his glove by Rodriguez along the first-base line on a key reversed call in Game6 of the ALCS. "You have a level of respect for people for what they do on the field and the way they carry themselves," Arroyo said. "I think a couple of incidents - (July) 24th and knocking the ball out of my hand - had a lot to do with people's perception of the way he plays the game. Continue

Schilling pitches in in assault on A-Rod

Curt Schilling likes Randy Johnson, but he doesn't like A-Rod. That was the gist of the Boston ace's opening remarks as he followed David Wells to a picnictable session with reporters as pitchers and catchers officially hit Red Sox camp yesterday. "I'm pretty sure that me not liking Alex Rodriguez is not some groundbreaking story," Schilling said when asked about the winter-long war of words between various Red Sox and the third baseman since the Yankees collapsed against Boston in the ALCS last October. "I'm sure there's a lot of guys in the big leagues that don't like each other," Schilling continued. "The comments came about because of play on the field last year. I've never really thought it was nearly as big a deal as people have made it. I'm pretty sure he could care less whether I like him or not. Continue

Mound a step up for Brown

Despite saying he wanted to "take it slow" this spring and not rush his progress along, Kevin Brown threw off a mound with the rest of the Yankee starters yesterday during the first workout of the season. Brown, who battled lower back problems throughout last year, said Wednesday that he believes he did too much too soon last spring and may have hurt himself before the season ever got started. For that reason, he was hoping to model this spring training after his 2003 program with the Dodgers and delay throwing side sessions until he had thrown on flat ground a few times. Continue

Won't mean thing without that ring

t began under overcast skies and must end beneath confetti. This is the burden the Yankees carry with them, even as they take their first baby-steps into a new season. "Yes, even today we recognize that either we win the World Series," Mike Mussina said, "or [the season] is nothing." So much for the placid charm that is the first day of pitchers and catchers.

The rules of 29 other camps do not apply at Legends Field. Not when you are the Yankees. Not when a 100-member media contingent is present at 10:13 a.m. yesterday as the Yankees take the field for the first time — and it feels paltry compared to recent years. Not when your starting rotation throws a bullpen session in unison for the first time and their five salaries combine at $62 million, or about twice what the Devil Rays down the road are paying their whole roster. Continue

Ramiro renewal

Having signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees, Ramiro Mendoza isn't going to rub the Red Sox World Series victory in the organization's face by wearing his fifth ring (one more than Derek Jeter). Because the Red Sox's previous World Series win was in 1918, Mendoza is on a very short list of players who have won with the Yankees and Red Sox. He earned four as a Yankee and was part of last year's Red Sox team, though he wasn't on the postseason roster. "I am going to put it in the bank," Mendoza said of his Red Sox bauble. Continue