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Around the Empire
New York Daily News | Mike Mazzeo: Alex Rodriguez believe in Gary Sanchez. A-Rod is Gary, as are we all now. Coach-Rod was on the Michael Kay Show and said that Gary was kind of like a hybrid of David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. Yay or eww? Hitting wise, this is a good thing. Dad-Rod also said that Sanchez will most likely not be affected by the pressure to repeat his incredible 2016 performance. This is all good news.
MLB.com | Corey Long: Spring training for the Yankees also means that it’s time for Captain’s Camp. The captain himself, Derek Jeter, takes the younger Yankees out for dinner and asks them to ask him questions. The camp is meant to teach the younger players about all the responsibilities they have as professional athletes, both on-and-off the field. If there were anyone to teach players how to avoid controversy on-and-off the field, it’s Derek Jeter. Do it his way, youth movement.
New York Daily News | Mike Mazzeo: Matt Holliday is already beginning to make a name for himself among the other Yankees. For starters, the veteran is taking some of the younger Yankees under his wing. Aaron Judge is one of those players. Judge, who hit a massive dinger after some of Holliday’s advice, said that he has been going out of his way to help anybody he can out. Sounds like a great guy to have in the clubhouse right now.
Newsday | Erik Boland: This Friday, the Yankees will play their first game of the spring against the Phillies. This Friday, the battle to be in the Yankees’ rotation will officially begin. This Friday, Bryan Mitchell will get his chance to make a good first impression. This Friday, we will be able to watch baseball.
New York Post | Ken Davidoff: It’s safe to say that not many Yankee fans are all that happy with having Jacoby Ellsbury in pinstripes. Considering that Brian Cashman hasn’t been all that happy with Ells lately, it’s understandable. Getting Ellsbury off the team is easier said than done though. This article proposes a five-part plan that might work. Personally, I wish one of the steps was assembling the Shrine of the Silver Monkey. That’s just me though.
Newsday: Nothing much here except for more photos from Tampa. Feel free to take a gander and then you can explain why Tyler Clippard has rapidly aged into a 50-year old in one of the photos.