New York Sports

During 12 magical seasons as Yankee teammates, Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams reached six World Series and captured four titles.

In a combined 30 seasons in pinstripes, they have become as much a symbol of Yankee success as the immortal superstars that preceded them.

Jeter and Williams' friendship and fame even landed them a guest appearance on Seinfeld:

After a second straight mind-blowing upset at the hands of The Netherlands, the roster of the Dominican Republic returned home with their tails tucked between their legs.

The Dominican team held the weight on their shoulders of a nation as passionate about the game of baseball as any other in the world.

I have not made it a secret that I am no fan of the World Baseball Classic. I don't like the general idea that players who have major league contracts and commitments are missing Spring Training in order to play around the world in March.

That being said, the WBC is good for one thing. It is good for minor leaguers and free agents hoping to spark interest from other major league teams looking to fill out their major and minor league rosters this month.

In fact, the WBC has been really good to one man in particular: Pedro Martinez.

Two seasons ago, New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin sat in a dark office, wondering what he could possibly do to save his job. He had ultimately lost his locker room, and the veteran presence was beginning to shut him out.

The implementation of a leadership council, coupled with the brightening of a stern personality only a soldier could love, eventually paved the Giants path to a Super Bowl title.

Spring Training Game 15

Yankees @ Tigers
Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland, FL
Game Time: 1:15 p.m.
TV/radio: none

Here are the lineups.

YANKEES

Melky Cabrera, CF
Johnny Damon, LF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Jorge Posada, DH
Nick Swisher, RF
Cody Ransom, 3B
Angel Berroa, 2B
Ramiro Pena, SS
Kevin Cash, C

Pitching: CC Sabathia, Alfredo Aceves, Brian Bruney, Jose Veras, Mark Melancon, Steven Jackson

TIGERS

Francisco Cervelli is a defensive catcher mostly known for getting his arm broken when he was bowled over by a member of the Tampa Bay Rays last spring training.

He’s also one of the next in line to get called up if the Yankees need to carry three catchers if Jorge Posada’s shoulder isn’t healthy enough to play over 100 games behind the plate. In that case, it would either be him or journeyman Kevin Cash.

As of now, future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez is a free agent. He most recently played for the New York Mets and had good years, but they were not the great seasons that the Mets expected from him.

Despite him not living up to what the Mets thought he would do, the fans loved Pedro and overwhelmed with cheers every game.

Three years ago marked the inception of the World Baseball Classic.

The concept was for teams around the world competing against each other for a few weeks in March, before the start of the regular season, to show who's really the best.

At first, the WBC was met with a lot of hostility.

In order for their to be enough teams playing, players with for example, Dominican heritage could play for the Dominican team even if they weren't born there.

In many cases, it is difficult to truly appreciate greatness until long after a player has left the game he loves. As a result, many stars end up epitomizing the “You don’t know what you got till it’s gone” philosophy.

Spring Training Game 13

Yankees vs. Blue Jays
George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, FL
Game Time: 1:05 p.m.
TV/radio: none

Here are the lineups.

YANKEES

Brett Gardner CF
Melky Cabrera LF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Jorge Posada DH
Nick Swisher RF
Jose Molina C
Angel Berroa 2B
Justin Leone 3B
Ramiro Pens SS

Pitching: Andy Pettitte, Ian Kennedy, Dan Giese, Dave Robertson, Jose Veras, and Jon Albaladejo

BLUE JAYS