ST Game Thread: The Final (Spring Training) Game

March 29, 2011 by Mike Axisa 48 Comments

At long last, the Yankees will play their final game of the Grapefruit League schedule today. Once this one is over, the team will pack up and fly back to New York and prepare for Thursday’s season opener against these same Tigers they’re playing today. The weather still isn’t great in Tampa, so chances are the regulars will just get an at-bat or two and hit the showers. No sense in risking injury at this point. Here’s the starting lineup, which will probably be what we see against Justin Verlander on Thursday…

Brett Gardner, CF
Derek Jeter, SS
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Robbie Cano, 2B
Nick Swisher, RF
Jorge Posada, DH
Andruw Jones, LF
Russell Martin, C

Available Pitchers: Freddy Garcia, Rafael Soriano, Bartolo Colon, Luis Ayala, Mark Prior, Wilkins Arias, Andy Sisco, Eric Wordekemper, and Pat Venditte.

Available Position Players: Austin Romine (C), Eric Chavez (1B), Eduardo Nunez (2B), Ramiro Pena (SS), Doug Bernier (3B), Ray Kruml (LF), Melky Mesa (CF), and Justin Maxwell (RF).

Depending on where you live, you can watch this game live on either YES or ESPN at 1:05pm. Remember, it doesn’t matter if they win or lose, just that no one gets hurt. Enjoy.

Note: Congrats to Manny Banuelos for winning the James P. Dawson Award as the top rookie in camp. Jon Weber, of all people, won the award last year, Gardner the year before.

Jonathan

Holy shit…we have 7 former gold glovers in the lineup today. I know that doesn’t mean shit but it’s still crazy. And none of those are Gardner/Granderson. That’s the insane part. If only Andruw/Jeter/Arod were what they used to be.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  Not that UZR is total gospel but Jeter is actually kind of a better defender now than he was in like 04-07 when he was winning those other Golden Gloves. o_O
  - Jonathan
    
    i meant more like each players defensive peak and not some specific time for all three to fit into.
    - KeithK
      
      If we’re playing the “if only” game I’d rather play it with the pitchers. If only Garcia, Colon and (especially) Prior were who they were…
      - Kevin
        
        With the Yankees infield coming 2nd in the “if only” list. Imagine Jeter and Arod being in their primes along with Cano and Tex. That 2009 infield is as close as we will ever get to having that.
- http://www.twitter.com/tomzig Tom Zig
  
  where did you get 7 from?
  - http://www.twitter.com/tomzig Tom Zig
    
    oh i guess you counted Chavez
    - Jonathan
      
      that was a typo i meant 6, unless Sweaty has one that I don’t know about.
dkidd

aaron boone: looks like johnny knoxville, sounds like ross perot
Jonathan

It’s hard to believe a guy could get paid millions to manage a major league team and think range is one of the most overrated things in the game.
- http://danielslifka.wordpress.com Jerome S.
  
  I doubt he really thinks that. He probably just says it to keep people from going nuts.
cano is the bro

why do i get the feeling that andruw jones is going to suck this year?
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  I’m going to guess it’s because he’s looked terrible in ST.
j

So I just found out I have a Civil Procedure makeup that will cost me watching opening day and that I have to attend. Should I buy MLB.TV so I can watch games in class?
- mbonzo
  
  Where do you live?
  Are you sure the game won’t be blacked out?
  - j
    
    Illinois so I’ll get the ESPN feed. I’m thinking about just skipping, although the professor takes attendance and it’ll be my last permitted absence.
    - mbonzo
      
      Fair enough, I’ve taken off work already.
      - Klemy
        
        Likewise.
NC Saint

Probably the last chance for me to see Venditte on live television. C’mon, Joe, throw me a bone here.
Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan

Lorenz and Flaherty need to announce all 162 games.
- FIPster Doofus
  
  Flaherty is the worst.
  - http://www.twitter.com/tomzig Tom Zig
    
    Yeah I can do without Flaherty.
    
    I know a lot of people hate Paul O’Neill the broadcaster, but I find him funny.
    - Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan
      
      I don’t mind Paulie. He just stuffs his face with candy through the whole game anyway.
    - Fair Weather Freddy
      
      I’m glad David Cone is coming back. I liked his no nonsense style. Doesn’t try to sugar coat anything, alot like Jim Kaat
    - Nogomo
      
      Why? I don’t see why he’s so bad. He knows the game at least.
mike_h

come on ARod, mash this grand slam!!!!
mike_h

come on Swish!!!!!!
Nigel Bangs

Holy A-Rod mobility! Man, that guy looks primed to have a monster year.
mike_h

ugh I hope they have a real short lesh on Garcia. 3 starts then into the pen as the longman then bring in Millwood
- MannyGeee
  
  When Kevin MIllwood is the answer, well… then you’re shit out of luck.
Nogomo

Garrison looked good! Wasn’t even listed as available. Wonder what his chances are of making the roster, guessing slim.
- mike_h
  
  both Ayala and Garrison got into the game, no surprise there. I think they take Garrison cause we need more lefties given the fact we play the Twins for 4 back to back games and you really want to shut down Mauer/Morneau
  - Nogomo
    
    I hope you’re right. He could help us. So, just an oversight that he wasn’t listed above as available I guess?
A-ROD fan

Jeter is a grounds ball machine
- Nogomo
  
  Yes but he can locate them and that’s what counts!
Nogomo

I can’t help it, I am feeling good about the team. Garcia at the bottom and he showed some fine moments today.
Nogomo

Getting my first look at Prior. Not bad.
mbonzo

So glad this isn’t a real game, this strike zone is a joke.
mike_h

at this point none of the guys on the 25 man should even be on the field. Just stay healthy!!!
mbonzo

Woah, just realized theres a new Yankees website and I like it.
CS Yankee

Good for you Austin!
- Mykey
  
  He ripped that one.
  - CS Yankee
    
    Good way to finish ST after finding out that your headed to AA.
mike_h

:( I guess no Pat Venditte today
- CS Yankee
  
  Colon to the 9th?
  
  The kid is gonna get the save.
mike_h

DAMN, why isnt Colon in the rotation????? Solid he was freakin solid all spring
Fair Weather Freddy

Hello Regular Season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Justin

Whatever happened to putting the Banuelos watch in the sidebar??