Wrapping up the first full workout
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Feb 20, 2007 
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It was a fairly uneventful first workout at Legends Field.
Joe Torre and assorted staff members (Brian Cashman, trainer Gene Monahan, media relations guy Jason Zillo) addressed the team for 45 minutes or so.
The workout was under sunny skies and (finally) warm temperatures as it got up to 68.
For those of you who care about such things, the main infield work group had A-Rod at third, Derek Jeter and Alberto Gonzalez at shortstop, Robbie Cano at second and Jason Giambi, Doug Mientkiewicz and Andy Phillips at first.
The first eight players in the cage on the main field were Jeter, Damon, Cano, Abreu, Giambi, Matsui, Mientkiewicz and Rodriguez. Everybody was cheered.
Damon hit a home run during BP on his last swing. As the crowd applauded, he did a Hulk Hogan pose and threw his bat on the ground. Funny stuff.
A-Rod has dropped 12 pounds and looked far more limber in the field. He plans to steal more bases, too.
Torre was asked mainly about the Jeter-Rodriguez thing and Bernie Williams not being here. There aren’t any “baseball” questions to ask yet because everybody’s just getting loose.
Joe Torre audio to come.
So A-Rod is looking more like his Seattle/Texas SS self these days? I think that bodes well actually.
You said “Jason Phillips” at 1st. Is that what your calling the Phelps/Phillips combo, or was that a typo? Also, where was Cairo?
I’ve read that Arod has compacted and simplified his swing. Making his cuts faster and with more power (if that’s even possible). Was any of that noticeable?
Jason Phillips would be a combo of Giambi and Phillips no?
Jason Phillips is a combination of Wilson Phillips and Jason Alexander.
Well I guess it could be a combination of Jason Giambi, Jason Phelps, and Andy Phillips.
Thanks for the clarification Paul, I can always count on you for name explanations.
sure, Arod is back in SS shape, and having a quicker, more compact swing would certainly help him wait a little longer on those breaking balls… and just in time for him to opt out, and go to another organization to play SS again…
hey, just saying.
Ah, Turn Two — Let’s try to be optimistic
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Since Jason Giambi was mentioned separately, I go for the Jason Phelps/Andy Phillips name combo. Or it could have been a typo – Pete?
Its Josh Phelps.
Clearly, we need a scorecard!
Ah ha. It is JOSH Phelps. Thanks Fernando.
So Peter, who else are they going to work at 3d & 2d? Can’t imagine Alex and Robinson will play every inning.
Its hard to keep track of everyones name on the 40 man roster. As long as no one says Deron Jeter and Robertson Cano I think its all good.
No problem Meezy, I’m always here for the good of the cause.
A-Rod is going to steal more? That’s assuming he ever gets another MLB hit…
Doreen, just havin a little fun!
This blog is amazing. It’s almost like being there.
TurnTwo, orrrr, he hits 50 HRs, 8 in the postseason, we win the world series (including somehow two Grand Slams in the bottom of the ninth of Game 7 to overcome a 7-0 deficit), he and Jeter become blood brothers again and then we’ll offer him an extension. Gotta stay optimistic this early on.
optimistic, of course… ridiculous? no, thank you. realistic? well thats tbd…
Interesting that Giambi is taking turns at first.
Pete…did AROD really hit 8th in the BP rotation? That’s kinda funny in a wierd way.
FWIW – got a call from my buddy down at Spring Training this AM. He’s no A-rod apologist and the first words out of his mouth were that A-rod was hitting absolute bombs with little effort. The balls were still rising as they cleared the scoreboard.
Yeah, I know it’s February 20th. Just saying…
As for whether he steals more bases or not; I don’t really care. He ain’t here to steal bases. He’s here to be one of the most (the most?) feared hitters in baseball.
Don’t players usually *gain* weight in the offseason, in the form of muscle? Or is that just younger players?
They’re in groups for BP, relax.
Turn Two, that was the first thing that came to my mind too.
If he opts out at the end of this year, he would be dead to me.
Real good news athat A-Rod has dropped 12 lbs, and is in great shape.
Did anyone boo Alex when he was hitting those bombs? Just wondering
Giambino working at 1st so that he can be familiar with the position during the W.S. Games at the N.L. Park…….
[...] – Johnny Damon is still hilarious. [...]
Steve, A-Rod put on a lot of weight in muscle last season, and a lot of people think that was one of the causes of his problems at the plate and on the field. He dropped it in an attempt to become leaner and more agile. I’m very excited to see how he performs this season.
Arod dropping weight is a good thing. his swing was WAY too long last year. he’s such a naturally gifted athlete that all he should concentrate is making contact. he could hit 40 HRs swinging a toothpick he’s so talented. i wanna see more consistent contact, especially in sac-fly sits.
[...] For 2007, A-Rod has dropped 12 pounds and shortened his swing, making it more efficient through the zone and helping him with slower breaking balls. This bodes well for the new year, as his 139 strikeouts in 2006 were tied for the most of his career. His leaner figure could also help him swipe more bags. [...]
what is it with these posts to other blogs? They don’t get enough traffic on their own? Got swipe some from Pete’s? A little slimy in my opinion.
[...] A rod’s problems last season after an MVP 2005 campaign more than likely had to do more with his weight, than his brain. I don’t think Jeter cuddling with him in the clubhouse will matter one way or another and neither do they. Bernie will eventually either retire or ruin the end of his career somewhere else as he has already made it clear he will not be attending Yankee camp. And Gary Sheffield’s mouth is about as loud as his bat (though we wouldn’t know the last two years) so everything is more of the same as far as him ripping somebody who gave the former ’roid user a chance. [...]