:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54022625/usa_today_9983729.0.jpg)
Around the Empire
New York Daily News | Peter Botte: Last night, the Braves had a soft open of their brand spanking new ballpark, SunTrust Field. Last night, the Greg Bird christened this new park with its first dinger. We are all fans of Greg Bird. You know who else is a Greg Bird fan? Former Yankees first baseman and new ESPN analyst Mark Teixeira. Bird and Teixeira send each other Tex messages almost every two weeks with talks of trust and believing in one’s self. Tex is very optimistic and hopeful regarding the Yankees’ chances this year. Let us hope he is on the Mark.
Newsday | Anthony Rieber: The Yankees are getting younger and Leon’s getting larger. Airplane references aside, if you need any proof that the youth movement is underway, consider that Brett Gardner is now the longest-tenured Yankee. Gardner remembers when he came up and how all the veterans on that team treated him great. GGBG is ready to pay it forward towards the next generation. If the Bird Watching video is any indication, he’s already doing a great job.
New York Post | George A. King III: The season is about to begin and the Yankees are underdogs in this division. They are coming off one of their best springs in history, but it’s still just spring training. While the lineup looks to be a legitimate threat, the starting rotation consists of Masahiro Tanaka and “Hey, just do your best out there, non-Tanaka pitchers.” Anything is possible and there’s always room for hope. Sanchez, Bird, and Holliday could form one of the most potent 2-3-4 hitters in the majors. Still, the rotation is a question mark.
Newsday | Anthony Rieber: All eyes are on the newer, younger Yankees. Joe Girardi’s eyes are on all of them, especially the veterans. He is hoping for bounce back years from Brett Gardner, Chase Headley, and Jacoby Ellsbury. Aren’t we all, Joe?
New York Daily News | Christian Red: Some sad news yesterday, as Ruben Amaro Sr. passed away in Miami. He was 81 years old. A former Gold Glove SS for the Phillies, Amaro Sr. became a Yankee in 1966 and played with Mantle and Maris. He would go on to be a scout, coach a minor-league manager in his long baseball career. All our best wishes to his loved ones. R.I.P.