The LoHud Yankees Blog

Sitting in my car, not moving on the Deegan in a thunderstorm. It’s pouring.

If it keeps raining, be prepared for this game to be canceled.

A few things:

1. It would be irresponsible to risk injury on a wet field for an exhibition game.

2. The teams are traveling on Saturday night (Yankees to Baltimore, Cubs to Houston), so Sunday is not an acceptable make-up date.

3. A Saturday doubleheader is impractical as you would have two distinct crowds coming and going at the same time. Plus the teams aren’t going to wear out out their bullpens or players.

I have not yet heard what the Yankees plan to do. But I suspect they would just cancel the game and refund the cost of the ticket.

When more information becomes available, I will pass it along.

4 p.m.: Gates open to ticket holders
4:20-5:20 p.m.: Yankees batting practice
5:20- 6:20 p.m.: Cubs batting practice
6:55 p.m.: Giant American flag unfurled by 50 West Point Cadets
6:56 p.m.: National anthem performed by the West Point Band
7:01 p.m.: Ceremonial first pitch
7:04 p.m.: Umpires and managers to home plate
7:06 p.m.: Yankees take the field
7:08 p.m.: First pitch

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Yes, Blog Headquarters knows it’s supposed to rain today. The team has not announced any contingency plans. As soon as they do, we will let you know.

The Yankees finally got inside their new Stadium yesterday. Kevin Devaney was there to see it.

Cool shot here by the AP of the Yankees playing catch before today’s workout.

This from the Yankees:

CHESLEY “SULLY” SULLENBERGER TO THROW OUT CEREMONIAL FIRST PITCH AT YANKEE STADIUM ON SATURDAY, APRIL 4, PRIOR TO YANKEES’ GAME VS. CUBS

The New York Yankees today announced that Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot of Flight 1549 who successfully landed the impaired plane safely on New York’s Hudson River in January, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the start of the Yankees’ 1:05 p.m. exhibition game vs. the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, April 4.

The Yankees will honor “Sully” (a Yankees fan since boyhood) as well as Flight 1549 co-pilot Jeff Skiles and flight-crew member Doreen Welsh in a pregame ceremony.

In addition, the Yankees will welcome Challenger, the renowned American Bald Eagle, who will fly across Yankee Stadium from the top of the Bleachers Café to the pitcher’s mound at the conclusion of the national anthem.

Kevin Devaney recorded some impressions from the Yankees on their new ballpark:

Joe Girardi: “Last night when we walked in, it felt like it was Christmas morning. Just listening to players talk about it, and the excitement of visiting every nook and cranny in the ballpark and in our clubhouse, it’s an unbelievable building.”

Andy Pettitte: “I was out there last night and, the dimensions, it looks exactly like the old ball park. You just look from the dugout, it looks like it’s going to play big in left and there’s a short porch in right.

“Obviously you walk through the door and see this, the clubhouse. Just the facilities we have, how beautiful everything is and the lighting, it’s state-of-the-art. For me, I’m a big-time whirlpool guy. We have unbelievable facilities as far as swimming. It’s just unbelievable.”

Joba Chamberlain: “You’re kind of in awe at first. It’s like having a new toy. You want to come in and play with everything.

“It’s going to be a little bit different because you have to get adjusted to the backdrop. You have to adjust. Your depth perception is different everywhere you go. So we’re going to have to get out there on the mound and just get your surroundings.”

Derek Jeter: “Homefield advantage is in the crowd. Our fans are always going to be the same. The atmosphere is what makes it fun for the players, so I expect it to be the same as it’s always been.”

Mark Teixeira: “It’s special to be a part of this. It’s going to be the greatest the sports venue in the world. We’re going to be excited to be playing on it for a long time.

“I loved playing in the old stadium. It was my favorite place to come to as a visiting player and I’m going to miss it. But when you come in here, it makes you forget about the nostalgia a little bit.”

Johnny Damon: “You could see by the looks on some of our faces that Christmas came a little bit early this year. My first thoughts were that we’re very fortunate to have a place like this. The old Yankee Stadium was definitely very special. This player is special from the moment you walk into it. As a player, you’re fortunate to put on the Yankee pinstripes and have this nice new ballpark.”

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I have no information on what happens in the event of a rainout tomorrow night. The Yankees have not said what their plans would be. Once I get that information, I will pass it along.

The Cubs open in Houston on Monday. I can’t imagine they (or the Yankees) would any part of playing on Sunday. A doubleheader on Saturday also seems implausible. Guess we’ll find out.

Sam Borden conducted a video tour of the new Stadium on LoHud.com. So check it out.

Here’s a report from Kevin Devaney, who is at the Stadium:

• I took two laps around the main concourse at Yankee Stadium this afternoon, which had to total about 12 miles in length. If you come to a game, you’ll never be wanting for food. They literally have everything, from tofu to fresh fruit stands to sushi to cheese steaks to Brother Jimmy’s barbecue. If you wanted a bowl of cereal, I’m sure it could be arranged.

• Noticed that the concession stands not only have prices on the boards, but calories. Surely it will hurt sales. However, I noticed that beer is $6 for a regular cup and $9 for the souvenir. Good prices.

• Bernie Williams was here at the Hard Rock Cafe for the “guitar smashing” ceremony. He played a song, as did Ace Frehley of Kiss. Actually, Frehley lip-synched New York Groove, which doesn’t qualify as singing.

• The fans were let in around 11 a.m. yet it doesn’t seem all that crowded. I think most are navigating the concourse. Today might set the record for pictures taken on cell phone cameras.

• However big you think the center field television is, you’re wrong. It’s bigger.

• Amazingly, the inside of the Stadium from some angles looks exactly like the old one. The seats don’t hang over each other, of course. But looking out form the main level, you feel like you’re back there.

Some leftover impressions after nearly eight weeks in Tampa …

• There were empty seats at Steinbrenner Field on Wednesday and a noticeable amount of empty seats at other parks over the course of the spring. I think we’re headed for a regular season where some teams will have to get used to crowds under 15,000.

• My first spring with the Yankees was 2006. I remember George Steinbrenner marching into Joe Torre’s office while we were interviewing him, sitting on the couch and asking some questions himself. Now Steinbrenner arrives at the ballpark in a wheelchair and his friends whisper about whether it’s a good day or a bad day.

• Hal Steinbrenner did not make himself available to the media once all spring, which is too bad because he usually has some intelligent things to say. You don’t get the feeling that he loves running the team but he’s doing the best job he can for the sake of his family. That’s honorable.

• If Brett Gardner stays in the lineup, he’ll steal at least 40 bases and make plays in center field Yankee fans haven’t seen in decades. If he can keep his OBP around the league average, he’ll be a benefit. That’s a big if, however. But my money is on him.

• Prediction: Phil Hughes pitches at least 80 innings in the majors this season and proves to be an important piece. One of the starters is sure to break down at some point.

• When did Ramiro Pena suddenly become a hot prospect? Baseball America didn’t have him in their Top 30 and they weren’t incorrect. He can pick it but will he hit?

• Joe Girardi made a good, honest effort to build relationships with his players, coaches and the beat writers this spring. In his own words, he had to reach out to everybody in the clubhouse, no matter what their job was. But what counts — and he knows this — is what happens now.

• Those who are worried about the bullpen should be. Jose Veras and Edwar Ramirez have not yet reached the trustworthy stage. Phil Coke looks terrific but is untested as well. The same is true of Jonathan Albaladejo. Brian Bruney also had a rocky spring. But there are a lot of quality arms in the minors and Girardi and Dave Eiland have shown they can handle a bullpen very efficiently.

• I couldn’t be more impressed at how seriously CC Sabathia takes being a good teammate or how fully he has invested himself in being a Yankee and being in New York. Sure, he came for the money. Everybody does. But he is committed to making the relationship work.

• Rob Thomson is a very, very good third base coach.

• How Girardi manages the playing time of Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Xavier Nady and Nick Swisher will be his biggest challenge this season.

• The ever-pessimistic Brian Cashman says mid-May. But I keep hearing Alex Rodriguez will be back a lot earlier than that.

• Sure, Derek Jeter has declined. Now name all the AL shortstops you would rather have. Go ahead. It’s a short list.

• Robinson Cano is actually a superior second baseman when he pays attention to what he is doing.

• If I were a Yankee, I’d do whatever I could to stay on Jorge Posada’s good side. Jeter may be the captain but the catcher is the enforcer. He’s Sonny to Derek’s Michael.

• Mark Teixeira looks like he wants to be the MVP. He mashed all spring.

• If Mariano Rivera is the captain of the bullpen, Jose Veras is sort of his second in command. He has a way of bringing people together.

• Austin Jackson is going to have a huge year at Scranton.

• The Yankees make a big deal about their spring training guest instructors. Most of them don’t much beyond standing around. But you know who actually tries to help? Reggie Jackson. He’s totally full of himself, don’t get me wrong. But he makes an effort to help guys out.

• It was a lot of fun to meet so many folks who read the blog.

• Brett Tomko got screwed. I think they’ll regret not having a long man.

• Some amateur psychology on Joba Chamberlain: There was too much, too soon for him and his DUI was hard evidence of that. He got caught up in being Joba Chamberlain instead of remembering where he came from. Chamberlain seems more humble now and more willing to listen. Having CC Sabathia in his ear instead of Roger Clemens will be helpful, too.

• You know who could emerge in the bullpen? Steven Jackson.

• You know who won’t? Humberto Sanchez. He can’t stay healthy.

• At some point soon, it’ll be about the team and not the new Stadium. But we’re still a ways away from that.

• Finally, thanks to Jason Zillo and his staff for their work this spring. They do things the right way, every day and it’s appreciated by those of us who cover the team. Trust me when I tell you, it’s not that way with every other team.