Every time Hank speaks an angel dies

Whoever is responsible for keeping Hank Steinbrenner in his cage really screwed the pooch today. Let’s get right to it.

Hank:

"I think, maybe, they celebrated too much last year. Some of the players, too busy building mansions and doing other things and not concentrating on winning. I have no problem saying that."

In case you haven’t heard, Jeter’s mansion was finished a month or so ago so this seems like an obvious shot at him, right? When he was asked if it was a shot at Jeter, Hank said he wasn’t singling any individual out. I call foul on that. Of course he was singling Jeet out; Captain is coming off the worst season of his career and, my guess is, Hank is probably pissed about the new contract he just got.

That was a dickhead thing to say. Unfortunately, he wasn’t done:

"I was just saying, maybe they were riding the wave of ’09 a little too much, and it happens sometimes. This year in spring so far, from what I’ve seen and what I’ve been told, they’ve come in with a real, new drive and determination — the kind they had in ’09."

How were they riding the wave of ’09? By winning 95 games and making it to the ALCS? Hank really needs to keep his mouth shut. He’s not his father, and he shouldn’t be acting like him. Whenever he speaks I cringe a little inside. Somebody should put a gag order on him.

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In spring training news:

• Everyone is gushing over the new, thinner Alex Rodriguez…who lost a whopping five pounds.
• Jorge was in full catchers gear today, while Ronnie Belliard took reps at first base, Eric Chavez at third and Eddie Nunez at short.
• Mo will throw his first bullpen session this week, probably Wednesday or Thursday. Girardi said, “It won’t be long now.”
• Andrew Brackman, one of the Killer Bs, is filthy. But we already knew that.

Girardi on Brackman:

"He’s much further ahead than he was (at this time last year). He had a hard time consistently throwing strikes, where now it appears that’s behind him. You look at what he’s done the second half of last year, what he’s done here in spring training, he’s throwing a lot of strikes. That’s a big part of the battle when you’re pitching."

Brackman:

"My first two camps, those BPs would have been awful. Nowhere near the plate or anything like that. The further away I get from surgery [Tommy John in 2007], the more comfortable I get on the mound."

Five more days until the ST opener!!!

LET’S GO YANKS!!!