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 (more on that shortly), he retired seven straight and nine of 11, and recorded five of the nine outs via the strike out, three of them swinging. Only five of the 16 strikes he recorded in the first two innings struck Sox bats. A ground double down the left field line and a swinging bunt with one out in the third slowed his momentum, but Colon came back strong with the fifth strike out and a dribbler to first where the bulky right-hander broke from the mound and took the throw at first just ahead of Boston center fielder Ryan Kalish. In perhaps the most impressive stat of his night, Bartolo forged an 0-2 count against seven of 11 batters. Continue reading →

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 added that the run only scored when a five-year mlb veteran shortstop let Bradley Suttle’s ground ball sneak through the wickets for the game’s lone (official) error. Compounding the ineptitude, they made this showing against a Tampa team off to a bad start because their pitchers are being routinely whacked around. Continue reading →

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 amassing nine hits, six walks total, and just one error on an infield roller initially ruled a hit. On Wednesday afternoon in the same venue, the visiting Astros and the Yanks played the antithesis of that game, a contest that was “springlike” in the extreme. Continue reading →

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 to Joker Marchant Stadium. Although the Yanks fell 6-2 to a record of 1-2, the day was as gorgeous as those that preceded it, with the mercury creeping up to 85 degrees, and just in time, too. There’s a cold front expected in tomorrow, and afterward temps should dip well into the 70s, heaven forbid. Continue reading →

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. Both teams pitched well; the Yanks simply did so for a longer period of time. Continue reading →

That's Jesus Montero wearing No. 83 in 2010. He will be one of the most watched Yankees in Tampa -- and hopefully New York -- in 2011.

Tampa, Fla., February 26, 2011 — Our Spring Training Trek starts anew Saturday, and we’re continuing our 2010 strategy, hoteling it just a short walk from George M. Steinbrenner (GMS) Field. So our 10-day trek is a series of short strides and long(er than ideal) drives. Saturday begins with the 1,000-mile flight South, shuttle to the hotel, and shuffle to the park to watch the Yanks host the Phillies, with Bartolo Colon throwing the first Yankee pitch of the preseason — 300 yards.
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