Yankees Start with Spring Win

It’s been a long winter of steroid scandals, big contracts, and mudslinging books which at times made it hard for us to realize that there is actually a game involved in the sport of baseball.

There was finally a reminder of that game today as Brett Gardner smacked the lead-off homer, followed by a two-run shot in the fourth inning by Alex Rodriguez, as the Yankees topped the Toronto Blue Jays 6-1 during the spring opener in Dunedin, Fla.

A-Rod was booed during his first at bat, but overall it was nothing out of the normal for the game’s highest paid player. Afterwards he joked about them.

“I felt the fans were OK actually,” he said. ”I’d like to invite a bunch of them out to Fenway this summer.”

The Yankees used eight pitchers over the course of the game, only one of which, Jose Veras, who spent any significant amount of time with the Bombers last season.

In one inning, Veras walked one, struck out two, and was the only pitcher who surrendered a run.

Kevin Cash was the only Yankee to have a multi-hit game.

He is competing with Francisco Cevelli for consideration to be the first player called up in the case of Jorge Posada’s shoulder isn’t what the team hopes it to be after surgery last season.

Nick Swisher gave Yankee fans a glimpse of why he was a Moneyball player, as he drew a pair of walks, including one that forced a run in.

Top prospects Austin Jackson and Jesus Montero both got in the game as late-inning replacements. Jackson went 1-for-2 while Montero didn’t register an at-bat.

It’s exciting that they are finally getting down to the game of baseball. Don’t forget to catch tomorrow’s game, which will be televised on the YES Network.