Yanks at VT

The Yankees will be playing Virginia Tech in an exhibition game today and they are truly honored to have the opportunity to give something back to the VT community after last year’s tragedy. In fact, the Yankees will have their regular lineup playing, except for Hideki Matsui (via PA):

YANKEES
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Duncan 1B
Cabrera CF

Pitching
Karstens
Britton
Ramirez
Patterson

If you don’t get the YES Network, remember to check out MLB.TV (online). The game will be on there for free.

UPDATE– I’m busy writing a 20-pager on baseball and religion for a graduate class of mine, but i’m also watching the game, simultaneously (I’m doing more watching than typing). I must say that the game is just a lot of fun to watch so far and you can’t help smiling when you see everyone playing. What a great experience for all those involved.

Finally

From Kat O’Brien:

For an exhibition game, there was some intrigue. Derek Jeter was hit on the left forearm by Julian Tavarez and said he was fine. And Andy Pettitte went up and in on Red Sox slugger David Ortiz with a fastball.

“He’s a great hitter,” Pettitte said. “You’re going to have to pitch him inside to get him out.”

It’s good to know that someone finally challenged David Ortiz with an inside fastball. Sadly, that never happens. I don’t know who to blame for that, whether it was Joe Torre’s fault or the fact that Mike Mussina is a stubborn, scared guy. Either way, the answer is unknown. Maybe it’s because the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry is so overblown that if a pitcher goes too far inside, he can be warned almost immediately by an overzealous umpire. Then, if anyone leans into one at a crucial spot, he can be thrown out of the game.

Whatever it is, I think Joe Girardi is going to encourage these guys to pitch up and in or at least, in a bit, on David Ortiz. The guy looks so comfortable at the plate, when he’s facing the Yankees it’s actually ridiculous. Sometimes, I don’t know if he’s going to hit a home run or simply fall asleep. If he’s going to hit one off you, which he does regularly, at least make him earn it.