New York Yankees

Derek Jeter has been one of the most beloved professional athletes in New York’s illustrious sports history.

He has also been one of the most respected athletes in the history of sports in general.

Puerto Rico remains undefeated through the first round of the World Baseball Classic. I must say, I'm very impressed with their team unity and great play so far. 

I say so far because we were all stunned when the Netherlands defeated the heavily favored Dominican Republic (TWICE, actually), and we may be in for another upset in the later rounds.

I don't know if you know about this, I sure didn't, but there is a story about Brian Cashman and Jason Giambi in a soon to be released book about Roger Clemens. The book is called The Rocket That Fell to Earth and it's written by Jeff Pearlman. Here's more from the New York Times:

Last season, when Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy both started out in the rotation, they combined for an 0-8 record and a 7.45 ERA. This season, it's not likely that either will open up in the rotation.

Vernon Wells tested his left hamstring on Wednesday and reported that he felt good.  I always tend to be a little suspicious of what the athletes tell the media. He’s trying to come back from his second hamstring injury in a year to this hamstring. I’m sure the Jays are going to be cautious at this stage of the season.

A big part of the reason the Yankees missed the playoffs last year was all the injuries they had to deal with during the season.

A big part of their season this year is going to be how they bounce back from them, if they can bounce back at all. Most specifically, how four players, Hideki Matsui, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera and Alex Rodriguez, who all had surgery can recover from them.

This is a follow up on my "Bring Back 'Kitty'" post from Tuesday.

Turns out Jim Kaat will be back in the booth this year, but it won't be for the YES Network. He mentioned in his most recent blog entry that he will be doing some games for the MLB Network.

Players with 0-3 years of major league service time signed contracts today. This is how it broke down for the Yankees:

Cody Ransom: $455,100
Joba Chamberlain: $433,000
Jose Veras: $432,975
Edwar Ramirez: $422,450
Brett Gardner $414,000
Ian Kennedy: $408,925
Phil Hughes: $407,650
David Robertson: $406,825
Jonathan Albaladejo: $403,075
Phil Coke: $403,300
Francisco Cervelli: $400,700
Wilkin De La Rosa: $400,000
Michael Dunn: $400,000
Christian Garcia: $400,000
Eric Hacker: $400,000

New York Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon barely hesitated long enough for the reporter's question to be completed before he tossed his answer forward.

When asked to name the most athletic player on the entire Yankee roster, Damon emphatically answered, "Cody Ransom."

After the reporter seemed slightly taken aback by his response, Damon added, "Have you been to YouTube yet?"

During 12 magical seasons as Yankee teammates, Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams reached six World Series and captured four titles.

In a combined 30 seasons in pinstripes, they have become as much a symbol of Yankee success as the immortal superstars that preceded them.

Jeter and Williams' friendship and fame even landed them a guest appearance on Seinfeld: