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Photo courtesy of Lohud Yankees[/caption]
Derek Jeter just heard of Kevin Youkilis making the back of every paper in New York City with his "I'll always be a Red Sox" comment. Andy Pettitte suggested it would be a good idea for Jeter to start some controversy to get everyone's mind off of Youkilis.
"Pettitte just told me. He told me to say something controversial in this press conference so that I can get Youkilis off the back pages." Jeter said. "I'll let him have it. Welcome to New York."
Jeter then became serious while throwing in some quips now and again about how hard he was working to get into shape. He then poked fun of the New York Post cover where Jeter was considered "overweight."
"It's going to be a little harder to to get back in shape--in baseball shape. The Post is here. Gotta say baseball shape." Then Jeter's conference got down to business. Where was he in his Spring Training schedule?
"I'm on Mo's schedule." Jeter quipped. "Five innings and I'm done. But I'm not concerned with re-injuring the ankle. I know I won't play be playing when they start playing in a week. You can write that down. I'm not playing in that game. I don't necessarily think you need all of Spring Training to get ready. I don't know exactly the date I'm going to play, but it will probably be somewhere there after a couple of weeks."
The most interesting part of the whole conference? Derek Jeter thought that sitting on his couch for 5-6 weeks was boring and this was the "worst offseason ever". 5-6 weeks on the couch doing nothing sounds like a dream to me.
-- Along with Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira spoke to the media today and basically disclosed what he wanted to do this season.
"Stay healthy and have fun." Teixeira said.
Teixeira had also done his workouts earlier since he is slated to play in the World Baseball Classic on March 1st. He figures that the World Baseball Classic will help him with not slumping in April, which sounds like a good idea. Teixeira also spoke about his offensive approach this season.
"There's really no reason for me at this point in my career to try and start things differently. I've had such a successful career playing to my strengths. Now that being said, I want to be the best at what I do well, and that's hitting home runs, driving in runs and playing Gold Glove defense. I know if I do those three things, I'm going to help my team. At the end of the day, that's why I'm here. I'm here to help my team win. Not put up certain types of numbers."
Last question. Was it strange not seeing Alex Rodriguez in camp?
"There's 90 guys in here right now." Teixeira said. "Even if he was here, I'm not sure I'd see him."
-- Ichiro Suzuki, Brett Gardner, Travis Hafner and Curtis Granderson all reported to camp today and took their physicals. They all passed, don't worry.
-- Backtracking to Ichiro, he was reportedly wearing one 'glittery' hat. He came into camp this morning with a Yankees hat but the Yankees logo had glitter on it instead of the normal logo.
-- Joe Girardi made it clear that Travis Hafner would be the Yankees DH against right handed hitters and wouldn't take the field unless he was a backup first baseman. Girardi also said that Jeter could possibly DH against left-handers as the season begins, allowing Eduardo Nunez to play shortstop.