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Good Signs All Around

Dan McCourt — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 07:53:04 +0000

Showing clear command of every pitch he threw, A.J. Burnett retired nine straight, mostly Philly starters, with one strike out, on 43 pitches.

Tampa and Sarasota, Fla., March 7, 2011 — “I saw them ALL,” gushed the young girl who climbed to our section to rejoin her parents in the redone Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida. A Yankee split squad was playing the Orioles Monday evening, and Sarasota, with apologies to the big

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I Dream of Hitting

Dan McCourt — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 05:12:09 +0000

Read it and weep. These are numbers only a hitting coach could love, although it did make for an entertaining game.

Kissimmee, Fla., March 6, 2011 — Following eight days of largely ineffective offense, I dreamed of hits Saturday night. Perhaps tonight I’ll dream of winning $1 million. The Yanks outlasted the Astros in Kissimmee 10-8 Sunday afternoon, outhitting the home club 21-17. A wind that was blowing out to all fields probably had a

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CC Gets an FF

Dan McCourt — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 05:12:05 +0000

After personally congratulating each member of the Jefferson High School State Champs pregame, David Wells paid a visit to the Nationals' dugout, speaking here to a few players including ex-Red Sox outfielder Jonathan Van Every.

Tampa, Fla., March 5, 2011 — After spending four days lamenting the lack of Yankee offense, on Saturday afternoon the team broke out for 10 hits and eight runs, with all of the latter bunched into a wild and fun

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Colon Makes His Case

Dan McCourt — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 07:44:09 +0000

There's a lot less head shaking and shrugs about the signing of Bartolo Colon to a minor league contract than there were before this stellar performance.

Tampa, Fla., March 4, 2011 — Freddy Garcia was happy with his work yesterday in Port Charlotte, and for good reason. But he might be feeling a little less comfortable with it now, because Bartolo Colon made a statement start Friday night. Admittedly facing a different-looking Red Sox team

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Dang Yankees

Dan McCourt — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 07:51:00 +0000

You talk yourself into things, you know? It was gratifying to hear that the Tampa fans saw something special with Betances too.

Tampa, Fla., March 3, 2011 — The Yanks brought out their prevent offense (except for one sloppy inning in Tampa) for the third straight day in a contest vs. the Rays in Port Charlotte Thursday. They notched all of four hits good for one run over 10 innings, though it needs to be

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A Win on the Wild Side

Dan McCourt — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 03:31:42 +0000

A.J. allowed two singles, but he threw free and easy, notched a strike out, threw 6 of 7 first-pitch strikes, and retired the side twice on 19 pitches.

Tampa, Fla., March 2, 2011 — The Yankees/Phillies tilt that opened Spring Training in George M. Steinbrenner Field four days ago, a back-and-forth battle in which the visitors ultimately prevailed, was noteworthy for how un-”springlike” it was. A one-run (5-4 Phils), crisply played game, with each team

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The Witch Hunt

Dan McCourt — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 04:26:48 +0000

Alex Rodriguez was in a great mood and talking up a storm, particularly with third base ump Ed Hickox. Here, he continues a chat with CC Sabathia, who has decided it's time to move on and pitch.

Lakekand, Fla., February 28, 2011 — The Yanks traveled to Lakeland today, to play the Detroit in Tiger Town. The Tigers have been in Lakeland for decades, and they attract fans of all persuasions from all over baseball

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Young Guns

Dan McCourt — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 02:19:42 +0000

Ben Francisco would drive in all three Phillies runs, but he had no chance against high cheese from Dellin Betances.

Tampa, Fla., February 27, 2011 — Anyone checking for a midgame score of Sunday’s Yankee game vs. the Phillies at Clearwater and discovering Yankee leads of 2-0, then 6-0, might have assumed the Bombers were kicking butt. But although the Phillies never really threatened in the eventual 7-3 Yankee victory, this was no Bombers blowout.

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Good King George

Dan McCourt — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 06:25:02 +0000

Good King George looked down, and the Yanks began the pre-season.

Tampa, Fla., February 26, 2011 — Baseball resumed in Yankee World Saturday, and on a sizzling sunny day in Tampa the 2008 and 2009 World Series champs clashed on a diamond of green. In a crisp game where one team had more than a one-run lead for all of two outs, the Phillies prevailed over the Yanks 5-4 in three hours and four minutes.

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Opening Day 2011 at Steinbrenner Field

Sue — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 21:00:24 +0000

Full report to follow but it’s great to be sitting watching baseball in 80 degree weather. Loved the heart-shaped pinstriped pin with The Boss giveaway for spring training opening day!