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OK, maybe in spring training there is. The Yankees played to a 5-5 tie today against the Astros.

Can anyone answer me why A-rod is on the Dominican WBC roster? Remember last time he was on one team, then another, then back onto the US team. They need to sure up the roster requirements for the WBC rosters. If you were not born in that country or have one parent who was born in that country, you cannot be on the roster. Just because your last name sounds Canadian, does not mean you can play for the Canadian team.

Wang looked good in 2 innings today. Along with Posada, he was a huge loss last year. The Yankees need him to win his usual 19 games this year.

Time flies when your having fun.

So far the Yankees are 2-3 in the grapefruit league. Today was the last day before some of the Yankees depart for the WBC.

Ramirez still has not thrown which is a little concerning. I was hoping he would have a big year as a setup guy in the bullpen. Hopefully Veras, Robertson, Melancon and others can step up.

Montero pulled a muscle today going to a past ball. Word is nothing serious but they will be cautious with him because he is so young.

Posada was shut down a little for a tired shoulder. This is expected coming back from major shoulder surgery and throwing a lot this spring. Lots of guys probably have tired arms right now but Posada is extra special because he is a key to 2009.

So far so good for the team. No major injuries and guys are getting their work in.

The first injury concern came up today. Edwar Ramirez had to end a throwing session with a sore right shoulder. This will give some other guys an open door. Even if he is only shut down for a few days it will be a setback. Guys like Robertson, Sanchez, Melancon will have a chance to step up. The Yankees have a deep set of arms which is a good thing when sore arms pop up during spring training.

Hopefully the February 26th afternoon spring training game Thursday will be replayed at night. I am anxious to watch some Yankee baseball. I cannot wait any longer!!!!!

Another not so eventful day. More BP and guys getting their work in. CC went home with flu symptoms but I read it is not a big deal. He probably wanted tomorrow off.

March is right around the corner and I am looking for some spring weather. Nothing like hearing the crack of the at to make it feel like Spring. Every team has a chance to do something special. Whether you are a Pirates, Red Sawx, Royals, Mets or Dodgers fan, your team has a chance to win it all during spring training. If everything falls right into place, this could be the year. I remember back in 1990 thinking so positively during spring training. It was going to be the Yankees year, I was sure of it. No other sport can match baseball, none, zilch. Baseball is a special sport.

Wang says he feels no discomfort in his foot and hopefully he will be a very good #3 guy this year. 19 wins, 200 IP, lots of deep games.

Posada has not had any complaints but of course the team is moving him along slowly. Hopefully he will be ready for spring training and tom catch 115 games. Word is Molina is in great shape. Hopefully he only needs to catch 50 games and hits .250 with a little pop. Last guy to ever hit a home run in old Yankee stadium II.

Real games start next week so it should be fun. With the WBC this year the young guys will probably stick around a little longer. I cannot wait until next Saturday when I can watch some Yankee baseball.

I got the Mets season ticket info in the mail. Nothing worth getting excited about. Wish they had a just Saturday program, too tough to make weekday night games. Hopefully the Yankees have some decent packages.

Why didn’t Alex come 100% clean yesterday? Now we will have to read about the cousin for the next month, what he took, why he lied the first time, ugh. That staged choke up was unreal. He is a terrible actor.

Can we trade him to the Marlins????? As long as he is in pinstripes I will root for him and I hope his baseball does the talking this year. Hopefully he has been knocked down to earth and realizes he puts his pants on one leg at a time like I do. He has the talent to win the gold glove at third, bat .315 and slug 40 HRS and knock in 130 guys in his sleep.

This will be my last post on the subject. I have moved on and am looking forward to the first televised Yankee spring training game.

Pitchers and catchers have been arriving in Tampa and position players are also streaming in. So far no injuries and everything is going smoothly. Cervelli has an upper respiratory infection and had the day off. A-rod’s big news conference is at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow.

Here is a link to the Yankees spring training TV schedule on Yes. Looks like the first televised game is next Wednesday, the 26th. Then one on Saturday at 1:15 p.m. versus the Twinkies. It will be nice to kick up the feet, grab a beer and enjoy some Yankee baseball. It has been too long of an offseason.

I know it is the first day of workouts for the Yankees which a wonderful day but I am kinda sad reading about Bonds and Clemens. They are trying so hard to save face but it keeps getting worse and worse. I know they are innocent until proven guilty but it does not look good. It is becoming more and more obvious they did steroids. A-rod admits he did it. Tejada admits he lied about talking about it. Pettitte admits he did it. Giambi admits he did it. Bonds and Clemens were playing way over their heads into their 40’s. It will be interesting to see how history looks at this mess in 25 years.

I am rooting for Melancon to make the pen and be dominate this year. As for position players I am hoping Gardner grabs the CF spot and hits .285 with 100 runs and 50 stolen bases while playing great defense. I hope Cabrera becomes the 4th outfielder and stays ready to take corner spot in 2010. GAME ON!!!!!!

It has at times been a pretty ugly offseason for the Yankees with Torre’s book and the recent A-rod steroid scandal but there is a happy ending. Spring training officially starts tomorrow.

It has been a very good offseason. Tex is a huge upgrade at the plate and in the field over Giambi. Cano should improve. A-rod and Jeter are in their prime. Nady, Swisher and Damon on the corners looks good. Hopefully CF will develop. The Yankees have depth at starting pitching for the first time in a while. CC, AJ, the Wanger, Joba and Pettitte are a good starting 5. Hughes, Kennedy and Aceves as well as some other young arms adds depth. The bullpen also has a lot of competition and should be pretty deep. The Yankees have been stockpiling young arms and starting this year we should start to see some results. Robertson, Melancon, Coke, Sanchez could all make an impact this year out of the pen.

I have felt for a while that Joba should be the 8th inning setup guy and future closer. This week I finally came to terms that he is preparing to be a starter. It has not been easy but I must move on. Just like my first crush in high school.

He said he is preparing for 30 starts and 200 innings. I have officially accepted that and hopes he is a beast as the #5 starter for the Yanks this year. I am not sure he is going to get 200 innings but 26 starts and 160 innings would be good. A nice 14-6 record with a 2.88 ERA would be great. His other 9 starts could come from Hughes who also gets another 11 starts for filling in for other minor staff injuries. He goes 10-4 with a 3.11 ERA. Yes, 2009 is going to be a great year.