I guess it's hard for A-Rod not to make news

Someone sometimes can't live without getting attention. That's why I sometimes wonder it's better off for Yankees without this drama king. However, I think most A-Rod's teammates start to realize what kind of person A-Rod is and get used to him. That being said, Hopefully, A-Rod's injury is fine and he can get some rest he may need.

I guess no news is good news

As baseball fans, we all feel very exciting once spring training begins. However, As each day passes, we hear news regard of some players around the league getting hurt. There is no exception in Yankeesland so far. The biggest one so far is the first setback Posada has few days ago. Hopefully, I won't hear anymore injury news related to Yankees players.

Joba first spring training game

1:27pm Posada has been scratched because of shoulder discomfort. Hopefully, He is fine. I never want any player get hurt including players on other teams. That's why I don't want to see Santana hurt as well.

1:35pm It seems both starters have rocky start. I don't think Joba has his velocity back yet.

1:45pm Giese is up. I believe Girardi will have a long man in the bullpen. Giese should be a leading candidate for that role. Is wind blowing out today?

1:55pm Is this the Yankees team I know? Two sacrifice flies in a row? Play small ball well?

2pm Why every ball is flying out(or almost) the ballpark? It seems to me Giese doesn't have command yet.

2:20pm Even though Cano has a down year last season, he is still better than many second baseman in the league. We really need him offensively and defensively. He certainly can help out Jeter defensively and lengthen lineup offensively.

2:25pm Veras is up now. When I look at Veras's velocity, it seems not so many players have their velocity back to normal at this stage of spring training.

2:35pm I switch audio between Kay and Sterling. I must say this. If I have to choose one among them, I definitely go with Sterling. Kay is really boring.

2:45pm Teixeira just makes a terrific play at 1B. His defense will help us a lot. By the way, did I mention Molina throw out another base runner? Yankees should send a note to every other teams in the league,"Don't even try to steal off Molina"

3:20pm Because internet is so expensive in Australia, I switch to WCBS once Yankees put Igawa on.

Some baseball stories around the league

There are two baseball stories around the league catching my eyes.

*Santana was bothered by "sore left elbow"

Don't tell me you don't concern, Mets fans. Teams always downplay injury. If this is not a big deal, why skip him twice? Don't forget Santana has knee surgery off-season. Santana's knee problem won't suddenly come out the last game of 2008 season. You don't know how long Santana pitches with his bad knee, especially when you consider Mets need him badly last month of 2008 season. Santana may favor his bad knee for a while that may lead to his sore elbow. That's why Yankees need to pay extra attention on Wang's delivery this spring.

*Manny rejected Dodgers' latest offer again

I know Dodgers has made 4 offers so far to Manny. But, no matter how they structure those offers, they all look like the same: 1/25m or 2/45m. They really haven't improved their offer since November last year. When most people surprise Manny reject Dodgers' latest offer, I am not because Manny and Boras feel those offers all look the same.

Manny doesn't like spring training anyway. In the end, Dodgers will give in. I guess 3/60m will get it done. Dodgers put themselves in this no-win situation. They need him more than Manny need them. They need Manny to bring more fans to ballpark, especially at this economy downturn. They need Manny to carry their offense and their hope to playoffs. If they really don't want to give Manny a deal more than 2 year, they should set a deadline and then sign Dunn and Abreu before they sign with other clubs. You may say, well, Manny need a team to play once season starts, right? Don't worry. If Manny is willing to accept one year deal, there are many teams welcoming Manny to their teams. Manny even can sign with Giants or Mets to stick to Dodgers.

some stories between Wang and his teammates, coaches

As you guys know, there are tons of Taiwanese reporters following Wang's every step. That's why I always laugh people feel CC and A.J. can release some pressure off Wang. If you are one of those persons feel that way, you may need to concern how CC and A.J handle spotlight of New York first.

Ok, go back to the topic. There are few tidbits between Wang and his teammates and coaches on Taiwanese newspapers. Those stories can show you how much attention Taiwanese pay on Wang. I don't know how you guys feel, but I really like to read those tidbits about any player.

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CC with Wang about Wang' new glove

I show you guys different versions of Wang's new glove earlier. Few days ago, there is a tidbit between Wang and CC. During spring training, a lot of companies sell equipment will allow come into clubhouse to sell to players. Of course, Nike will be one of those companies. CC brings one of Nike's staff to Wang's locker in order to show Wang's new glove because CC wants Nike to design one for him based on that idea. This whole glove becomes a huge story in Taiwan as far as I know. When this CC story comes out, there are some Taiwanese Yankees fans start designing different versions of CC's glove on the website.

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Wang with Joba about steroids

As you guys know, Wang and Joba become very good friends since Wang rehabilitated his hamstring in 2007. Tons of Yankees players like to joke with Wang all the time because Wang gets a good sense of humor and great personality.

This story between Wang and Joba happen when Yankees drive 2.5 hours to play their third spring training game with Twins. Before practice in the morning, Joba use his milk powder to make milk. Wang enters the clubhouse and yells at Joba,"Joba, you eat steroids?" Of course, Joba is going to fight back. Joba then says, "I know you drink green tea steroids because you always look full of energy after drinking green tea"

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Wang with Gator about bunting

Yankees pitchers need to practice bunting this spring. I guess Yankees learn a hard lesson and want to make sure that won't happen again during interleague games. After practicing many times, Wang improves his bunting little by little. Few days ago after practicing bunting, Taiwanese reporters say to Wang how well he bunts that day. Wang replies, "Today the ball is slower". Later on, reporters find out Gator is the one throw pitches to pitchers for practicing bunting that day.

All Taiwanese reporters know the special relationship between Gator and Wang. Then they tell Gator what Wang says to them. Gator says to reporters, "really? Wang says that to you guys. I am going to kill him". Later on, Gator tells reporters, "I tell Wang to be careful next time when I throw to them during bunting practice because my command is not the same anymore." Yesterday, Wang was hit by pitch during bunting practice. Gator is the pitcher.

P.S. Wang has threw 2 more bullpen sessions. One is for 56 pitches. The other is 46 pitches. Wang's command is getting better. However, Wang hasn't gotten his velocity back.

My first game of 2009

YES. This second spring training officially opens 2009 season for me. If "most" people stay healthy, we are going to have a fantastic 2009 season. I will try to liveblog this game as much as I can.

1:10pm Watching a introduction clip of free agents signing get me to feel exciting for 2009 season.

1:22pm Does Hughes hit batters because he throws cutters?

1:27pm Not a bad first inning for Hughes,right?

1:33pm I am a little bit disappointed at Teixeira's first at bat. Ha! I think I expect too much. This is just a spring training game. However, his defense is certainly great.

1:39pm Hughes has better command at second inning. I think we should stop looking at radar gun reading at this stage of spring training.

1:46pm Is it possible for Yankees broadcasting crew not to talking about steroids? I am just tired of hearing the same thing again and again.

1:48pm The first two innings of this game let us know what AL East will look like. Pitching & Defense.

1:50pm Hughes is done after 2 innings. In my opinion, as first outing of spring training, it's good performance for him. Coke is up now.

1:53pm Cano makes a great great play.

1:58pm Welcome back, Posada. Posada will play a huge role in 2009 season. By the way, what a contract between Posada and Molina in term of offense.

2:37pm I miss a little bit because of my computer, but come back on time for Posada's another RBI. By the way, Melky doesn't look so great at his first game of spring training. Burney looks good, especially his velocity at this stage of spring training.

2:40pm That's why Jeter is the captain who everyone wants him on his team. A great relay.

3:10pm Shelley Duncan certainly loves to hit Rays. I really think Shelley should be able to contribute to other major league team as a power righthand batter off bench. If he can somehow figure out breaking balls, he will become quite a player.

3:15pm Gardner makes a great catch and almost double up runner at second base. Gardner certainly has an edge over Melky right now.

3:16pm Melancon is up now. Most his pitches are at lower part of strike zone. He also changes speed quite well.

Mo is unbelievable

That's why Mo is the greatest closer of all time.

Hopefully, Jeter is fine

We all know what Jeter will say regard of his injury. But, it certainly causes concern for our Yankees fans. However, it will be nice if this minor injury can lead Jeter to give up WBC. But, we all know this is close to be impossible.

Marte and Edwar also have some small to maybe-big injury news. Hopefully, they will be fine as well. That being said, Posada is doing well according to Peter's blog.

It's not fair

When most teams, their fans and even a lot of experts keep complaining about every Yankees' move, why no one complain about this when allowing those teams to get unfair advantages?

Wang spring training watch-Feb20

(photo from udn/Wang met Boss when Boss was leaving)

Wang threw 67 pitches yesterday for first live BP that include 32 pitches to batters and 35 warmup pitches. After that, Wang said he felt he is 60-70%. Delivery is good. When he threw all his pitches, the changeup is the worst one he threw during live BP.

About Bernie...

Wang feel Bernie still is very good. On top of that, he gets a lot of experience. When pitchers make mistakes, Bernie will hit it hard. After BP, Wang wonders how old Bernie is. Before BP, the match-up between Wang and Bernie is a hot topic among Yankees teammates. Joba even analyzes Wang should beat Bernie because this is a match-up between one pitcher doesn't pitch for one year and one hitter doesn't hit for two years.

How bad it can be for A-Rod?

I was reading a news from a Taiwanese website regard of Yankees' clubhouse yesterday.

Nick Swisher was playing rap music loudly after practice in the clubhouse. Swisher was dancing with music and certainly loosing up Yankees' clubhouse and his teammates. After a while, when A-Rod entered the clubhouse, someone lowered the volume of music and everyone suddenly was silent.

A-Rod really has a long way to repair his relationship with his teammates even though we all know they say all the right thing in front of media.

Not to mention, there are more news revealing and coming for him and Yankees. That being said, Yankees will be fine as long as there are no evidences to prove A-Rod use steroids after 2003. The worst case scenario is A-Rod being suspended for 50 games if there are evidences to show A-Rod use steroids after 2003.

As Yankees fans, we can care less about A-Rod's legacy and his place in HOF as long as he can contribute to our Yankees team and help us to win champions.

Don't get me wrong. Of course, I have been very disappointed at A-Rod's behaviour and I will be extremely disappointed if A-Rod use steroids after 2003 and before 2001. I don't care how and where he gets steroids and how often he uses.

That's why I hate Red Sox

Just in case you guys miss those news, check here and here related to complaints from Red Sox.

That's why I hate Red Sox. They(Red Sox) are the one winning champions recently, not Yankees. Why they still keep complaining about Yankees and paint themselves like victim?

Quote from Red Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino,

"I think we've seen [an offseason] when the Yankees have spent like the U.S. congress,"

I know Yankees have the highest payroll of MLB and spend more than Red Sox. However, Red Sox is big-market team and spends more than most teams in MLB. Does them spend tons of money on Manny,Dice-K,etc.?

Why they complain about Yankees every time after they lose a free agent player they want badly to Yankees, such as Contreras, A-Rod and Teixeira. When they have a lower payroll than Yankees and certainily have money to spend more if they want to. Just look at the case of Dice-K when they blow away everyone including Yankees. They chose not to do that to Teixeira, A-Rod, etc. That's your own decision, Red Sox. Don't blame Yankees.

Written by Bob Ryan of Boston Globe,

"While the Red Sox and Rays have benefited greatly of late from home-grown talent, the Yankees have not developed a star player since their system bubbled up Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, and Jorge Posada, circa 1995."

Based on those quotes from Red Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino,

"I think our commitment to winning would be as strong," "I think winning would then be based on how hard you work, how smart you are, the kind of judgments you make about baseball evaluation, and we're happy to compete with anybody on that basis."

And then Red Sox doesn't forget to say how much smarter they are than Yankees in order to compete with us in the end by claiming how many players they develop and pointing out so few home-grown talent on Yankees roster.

When I agree Red Sox run their organization well, does them make mistakes as well? For example, Matt Clement, Lugo, CoCo, Drew, etc. As for Rays, when you can draft very early the past 10 years, you certainly bring in a lot of talent unless you make very bad decisions every time out.

By the way, the last time I check, Yankees have more impact home-grown players on the roster than Red Sox. Not to mention Yankees certainly will have more talents from farm break with camp this year. As home-grown star players after Jeter, Mo, Posada and Pettitte, how about Joba, Wang, Cano?

No more

Damaso Marte has stiff hamstrings. Hopefully, this is only one we have all spring training and all season even though I don't think so.

By the way, Peter holds a steroid-free activity. Please support him and this activity. I am sick of this topic as well.

That's why I Jeter is the man

Quotes from Jeter

"One thing that is irritating and it really upsets me a lot is when you hear everybody say, `It was the Steroids Era. Everybody was doing it.’ You know, that’s not true. Everybody was not doing it,"

Wang spring training watch-Feb18th

As you guys know, I am a Taiwanese. Because I am able to read Taiwanese news and there are many Taiwanese reporters following Wang all the time, I will try to post some news regard of Wang's progress or anything happen in Yankee land from Taiwanese reporters' respectives every day.

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About steroids....

Taiwanese reporters ask Wang about steroids, Wang said he doesn't take and even doesn't take any nutriment. Wang said he never think about taking any performance enhancing drugs. For him, he even doesn't know names of those drugs and how to use them.

Even though he is sick, he doesn't like to take any medicine. If he really needs to take medicine for illness, he will go to trainer to get one.

Even though he is injured, he never think about taking. Only thing on his mind is working hard for rehab.

About A-Rod....

Wang says he has a good relationship with A-Rod. That's why he is in A-Rod's press conference. On top of that, many teammates will go as well.

Wang's progress....

Wang threw 47 pitches at last bullpen. He hasn't gotten his velocity and feeling back. Wang said this is normal for him at this stage of spring training. He normally needs more time to get into game form than others.

Starting 5

What do you guys see in this picture? This is our starting 5 for 2009. Great view. If they all stay healthy, we are going to have a fantastic season.