New York Yankees

Denny Kewsinitch has rooted for Whitey Ford ever since he signed his autograph book in front of the real Yankee Stadium at the end of the 1950 season.

Denny considers Whitey to be one of the top clutch pitchers of all time.

Brett Gardner started in centerfield for the second straight day for the New York Yankees. Today, Gardner also hit leadoff as the Yankees lost to the Phillies 6-2.

Gardner had a great game, with two hits in three times at bat, including a triple. He also scored a run. He raised his average for the spring to .240. He also stole one base.

In yesterday's game against the Astros, Gardner started in center and hit in the nine hole. He went 1-for-3 at the plate

The New York Yankees are usually one of the teams where most, if not all, the 25-man roster spots are already accounted.

But, as is the case with a team based in New York, the hype does follow the younger players. Many times this hype is unwarranted.

In the case of these young Yankee players, it might be justified.

This list is not predicated on which Yankee farmhand is the best prospect or will make the most impact on the major leagues.

Jesus Montero is the best prospect and will make the most impact.

But he is NOT on this list.

Despite a history of Hall of Famers roaming centerfield for the Yankees, the position has been in flux since George Steinbrenner signed Kenny Loften after the 2003 season to help share the load with Bernie Williams . Last season, the Yankees got by with Melky Cabrera , but the only reason they seemed comfortable with that was because they were so solid at every other position.

The Yankees have kept fans largely in the dark this winter about when single game tickets will be available available to the general public, but apparently Staten Island Yankee fans are in the loop because for the second year-in-a-row they’re the first to know.

Anyways, NYY Stadium Insider has the lowdown on the ticket situation:

It’s not everyday the Yankees are outbid by many teams, a few years ago they were outbid by Boston for Daisuke Matsuzaka, but that was the Red Sox and with their nearly $170 million payroll you’d expect them to outbid somebody sometime. The Blue Jays however? Come on!

Brett Gardner started in center field and hit sixth in the batting order as the New York Yankees lost a spring training tilt to the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday.

Neither position is a likely spot to find Gardner after the regular season starts in just 20 days.

Because it is uncertain if Gardner can hold down a regular outfield slot, the Yankees will almost certainly put Curtis Granderson in center because he will be playing every day.

I shave with one of those three blade disposable razors that are popular with the masses. They work pretty well, but they’re expensive to replace. Like girlfriends. So I end up using them more than is recommended to prolong their life. And if you use them this much, they don’t shave as well as they should.  
 
Why am I telling you this? I’ll get to that.
 

Kris Burmen has always known that Whitey Ford is a terribly overrated pitcher. He has some facts to support his contention.

Whitey Ford was the Chairman of the Board. He was the pitching ace that New York Yankees' manager Casey Stengel saved to face the other contenders.

Robinson Cano has a way of making things look easy on a baseball field.

This is his greatest blessing and biggest curse.

New York sports fans don't like when things look easy. We appreciate effort. Effort means you're taking the game as seriously as we are.

Paul O'Neill chasing down Luis Polonia's drive up the gap in Game Five of the '96 Series, that was hard work .

Mickey Mantle barely able to drag his shot legs around the bases after hitting his 500th homer off Stu Miller...that took effort.