LITTLE ROCK — YANKEES
Jeter dismisses remark
TAMPA, Fla. - Derek Jeter laughed off Hank Steinbrenner’s assertion that some New York Yankees were “too busy building mansions” after winning the 2009 World Series.
The Yankees captain was building a large multimillion dollar home in Tampa last year when New York lost to Texas in the American League Championship Series after fading in the second half of the season and winding up with the AL wild card.
Steinbrenner, the Yankees co-chairman, made the remark Monday in saying his team lacked hunger last year.
“I understand most of it,” Jeter said before Tuesday’s spring training workout. “The house, I didn’t understand. That’s a first. That’s funny, I think. I’m not moving, so we won’t be talking about this again.”
Jeter often smiled and laughed during an 11-minute session with reporters. He pointed out, with a smile, that Steinbrenner used the plural “mansions” and that his name was not speciallly mentioned.
The shortstop said no further explanation was needed from the oldest son of George Steinbrenner, the Yankees owner who died last July.
“Hopefully this is the last time we have to discuss last season,” Jeter said.
Steinbrenner said later Tuesday his comments were not directed at Jeter.
“It was a generalization, a euphemism. A bad choice of a euphemism,” Steinbrenner said. “That’s all it was.”
Steinbrenner sent a message to Jeter clarifying his remarks.
“Sometimes teams get a little complacent, they celebrate for too long,” Steinbrenner said. “It certainly isn’t Derek. Derek’s got five rings. You don’t win five rings by being complacent. So, it was definitely not Derek I was talking about, and it wasn’t, obviously, a few other players, either.But in the end we’ve got to win.” RANGERS
Wilson to start opener
SURPRISE, Ariz. - Confidence never has been an issue for C.J. Wilson. So it comes as no surprise that the one person who knew the Texas left-hander would succeed as a starter last year was Wilson himself.
Wilson is now set to be the opening-day starter for the American League champions, Rangers Manager Ron Washington announced Tuesday.
“If there’s one thing he’s not lacking,” Washington said, “it’s confidence.”
A year after Wilson made the switch from the bullpen to the rotation and then led the Rangers with 15 victories, Washington said the plan is for Wilson to start April 1 against Boston.
“It’s cool,” Wilson said. “That gives me a chance to make 34 or 35 starts.”
Wilson, who at one time was the Rangers’ closer, went 15-8 with a 3.35 ERA in a team-high 33 starts during the regular season. His finest moment came in Game 2 of the AL division series when he held Tampa Bay to two hits over 6 1/3 scoreless innings.
“I wasn’t surprised,” Wilson said. “If anything I was a little disappointed I didn’t do better. I had goals for myself that I didn’t reach. But there’s always going to be another opportunity as long as you’re in the game to try and reach the next level you haven’t reached yet.” REDS Volquez chosen
GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Cincinnati Reds Manager Dusty Baker has selected Edinson Volquez as his opening-day starter against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 31.
Vonquez, a 27-year old right-hander, made 12 starts for Cincinnati last season after returning from right elbow surgery in August 2009.
“Volquez is very confident, plus we think he can handle it,” Baker said Tuesday. “Not much bothers him.”
Volquez opened the National League playoffs against Philadelphia last year, losing as Roy Halladay threw a no-hitter.
“They gave me the opportunity to be the No. 1 here,” Volquez said. “I’m very happy about that. I’ll take it.”
Bronson Arroyo and Johnny Cueto will follow Volquez when the season starts in Cincinnati, with the other two rotation spots to be determined.Bryant’s Travis Wood, who was 5-4 in 17 starts last year, is one of three possible for those spots.
“We wanted to break up Volquez and Cueto so they don’t try to outradar-gun each other,” Baker said.
Aaron Harang, who signed with San Diego this offseason, was the opening-day starter in Cincinnati the previous five seasons.
INDIANS
Cabrera not retiring
GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Orlando Cabrera knows he’ll face retirement someday, but he plans on playing beyond 2011.
The infielder, who signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Indians last week, denied a report that he will retire following this season.
Cabrera said he was misunderstood in an interview he gave to a radio reporter in his native Colombia. The report was then picked up by a Colombian newspaper.
Approached by reporters following Tuesday’s workout, Cabrera laughed when asked about the story.
“No, no, no,” he said about retiring. “Especially if we win the World Series this year. I’ll have to come back.”
Cabrera, 36, signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the Indians and is the favorite to win the second base job. He has played shortstop, where he has won two Gold Gloves, through most of 14-year career. Cabrera is a lifetime .274 hitter.
“I said at some point there was going to be one of these years I wasn’t going to play anymore,” he said. “I’ll go year by year. I feel like I can play for many years. I don’t feel old at all.”
Cabrera said that whenever he retires, he would like it to be his decision.
“I’ve seen guys get old and beg for jobs and stuff like that,” he said. “I want to go out on my own terms if I get the opportunity to do it.”
Cabrera batted .263 with Cincinnati last season. He was on a one-year contract with a club option for 2011, which the Reds declined. Cabrera wasn’t offered a multiyear deal by any team this offseason.
CARDINALS
Reality hits Berkman
JUPITER, Fla. - Lance Berkman needed to see his name on a St. Louis Cardinals jersey for the switch to sink in: After 13 spring trainings with the Astros, he had joined Houston’s NL Central rival.
“Oh my goodness, there it is,” he said when seeing his No. 12 jersey hanging from his locker last week. “We’re ready to go now.”
Berkman, 35, agreed in December to an $8 million, one-year contract. He had spent his entire big league career with the Astros before he was traded to the New York Yankees last July.
Berkman said he felt like “a fish out of water” in New York. Now he joins a former foe.
“As heated as the rivalry got between Houston and St. Louis, it never got to the point of nastiness,” Berkman said. “There was a healthy respect certainly from us towards them. I think it was a mutual respect.”
Berkman is looking to rebound from the worst season of his career.He hit .248 with 14 home runs and 58 RBI while recovering from knee surgery in March. He put himself though a rigorous offseason training program, working on his speed, agility, explosiveness and strength four days a week.
“I think he looks good,” Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa said. “I think he’s really determined and we’re really excited to have him.” TWINS
Morneau ‘feels fine’
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Justin Morneau took the field with his Minnesota Twins teammates Tuesday for the first time since sustaining a concussion in July.
Morneau said he “felt good” after batting practice and playing long toss during an informal workout. But he wasn’t about to proclaim himself 100 percent. Morneau said he wanted to wait and see how he felt later in the day, which is usually when the symptoms from his concussion resurface.
“It was the first day,” Morneau said. “We’ve got a long ways to go.”
He was injured July 7 in Toronto last season while sliding into second base to break up a double play. He missed the remainder of the season.
Morneau had been working out at his offseason home in Arizona, but this was the first time the 2006 American League MVP got back on a field with his teammates. He received a nice ovation from the fans when he stepped to the plate for batting practice.
“It was nice,” he said. “People recognize a little bit how long it’s been since I’ve been out there with my teammates. It was fun.” ANGELS
Trumbo, Wood at first
TEMPE, Ariz. - As Kendry Morales continues rehabilitation after breaking his leg last season, two power hitters with limited major league experience are in the running to be the Los Angeles Angels’ opening day first baseman.
Mark Trumbo, one of the most intriguing players in camp, and Brandon Wood, coming off a disappointing showing, can carve out a regular role with a strong spring, Manager Mike Scioscia said Tuesday.
Trumbo hit 36 home runs with 122 RBI at Class AAA Salt Lake in 2010, giving him 120 career minor-league home runs in the Angels organization.
“Mark’s first step is to carve a spot out on our roster and show that he’s ready to contribute and play in our league and then, hopefully, win some at bats,” Scioscia said. “He’s on our depth chart in a number of places.”
Scioscia did not close the door on Trumbo playing in the outfield. Trumbo appeared in eight games with the Angels last season but went just 1 for 15. Primarily a first baseman, he played 24 games in the outfield for Salt Lake last year.
Wood could be the first option for
Sports, Pages 24 on 02/23/2011