The latest from camp on a rather busy day…
- Hank Steinbrenner stole the show by mouthing off about a number of topics. “Some of the players [were] too busy building mansions and doing other things, not concentrating on winning. I have no problem saying that.” Gee, I wonder who he was referring too. Hank also questioned the focus of the 2010 team, saying they celebrated too much after the 2009 World Series. This is the same team that won 95 games and was two wins away from the World Series. Although I suppose it’s easy to think the team isn’t focused when you go to two games a year. (Mark Feinsand)
- Alex Rodriguez conducted a much more civilized press conference, saying that his hip is healthy enough that he can return to the same workout routine he adhered to prior to the surgery. That’s what led to the weight and body fat loss this offseason. (Joel Sherman)
- Dellin Betances threw an early morning batting practice session in front of some serious heat: Joe Girardi, Tony Pena, Larry Rothschild, pro scouting director Billy Eppler, pro scout Rick Williams, guest instructor David Wells, and a handful of minor league pitching coordinators were all there to watch him. (Chad Jennings & George King)
- The list of non-Betances pitchers that threw live BP today: Andy Sisco, Andrew Brackman, Steve Garrison, Daniel Turpen, David Phelps, Adam Warren, D.J. Mitchell, and Eric Wordekemper. Joe Girardi raved about Brackman and his cleaned up mechanics, but cautioned not to read too much into a BP session. (Marc Carig, Carig & Carig)
- Jorge Posada was in full catcher’s gear, participating in fielding drills. There’s no reason not to have him in catching shape when the season begins. Ronnie Belliard also took reps at first base, Eric Chavez third base. The Yankees will play both guys at the corner infield spots this spring. Outfielders took turns trying to rob homers at the wall. (Carig, Carig & Jennings)
- Boone Logan airmailed a throw and hit a little girl in the stands in her arm. He ran to the dugout, got some ice, and she was ultimately fine. I’m guessing she got at least a ball and an autograph out of it, hopefully from someone better than Boone Logan. (Carig & Erik Boland)
- A-Rod made a nice little play over a diving Joba Chamberlain during the fielding drills, then called the right-hander a “good husky.” He meant Husker, as in Nebraska Corn Husker. I laughed. (Bryan Hoch & Ben Shpigel)
- After working out with Robbie Cano during the offseason, Eduardo Nunez was crushing the ball in batting practice. (Boland & Hoch)
- The Yankees had their annual umpires meeting this morning. (Mark Feinsand)
- And finally, the Yankees are converting minor leaguer Addison Maruszak into a catcher. An infielder so far in his career, the Yankees are trying to turn him into some sort of eight-position super-sub. Injuries have slowed him a bit in the last two years, but Maruszak is a good athlete and can hit a little (career .324 wOBA in 808 PA), so there’s a non-zero chance it’ll will work. (Jennings)
Here’s the open thread for the night. The Islanders are the only local team in action, so yeah. You all know what to do, so go nuts.