Second Spring Training Game: Derek Jeter's Debut

Today was the second spring training game, and it was Derek Jeter's debut in what will be his last season. It was the Yankees against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Steinbrenner Field. This game featured Yankees pitcher David Phelps as he tried to compete for a spot in the starting rotation. He allowed one run in two innings and struck out four batters. Jeter went 0-2 with two groundouts. The Yankees eventually lost a game that was close until the eighth inning, 8-2. They now have a record of 0-2 in spring training. Masahiro Tanaka is expected to make his first appearance on Saturaday against the Philadelphia Phillies. This should be an exciting game.

First spring training game less than a week away

After the entire team finally reported to spring training, it will soon be time to start playing exhibition games. The first will be against the Florida State Seminoles in Tampa. This will be the first of twenty-six games in twenty-seven days. There will also be three split squad days with multiple games. Some of the more pressing issues for the Yankees will have to be resolved before the season. A shortstop and third baseman will have to be found in order to solidify the Yankees' infield. Mark Teixeira will return from injury to try to regain his form. The Yankees will look to do better than last year, and the push to a World Series will start soon.

Check back throughout the week for more coverage of spring training.

Pitchers and Catchers report

Yesterday, Yankees pitchers and catchers reported to spring training. This moment has been long expected and it brings the start of spring practice. I am excited to finally see Masahiro Tanaka pitch, even if it is only in exhibition games. Also, new Yankee Brian McCann will be interesting to watch as he interacts with his new teammates. Michael Pineda will try to come back from injury and return to his all-star form. He has not played in the major leagues the last two years and will try to be a solid starter for the Yankees. Pineda is one of four pitchers (along with David Phelps, Adam Warren, and Vidal Nuno) that will try to be the fifth starter in the Yankees' rotation. This and other position battles, including the fight to be the third and second baseman, will make Yankees camp interesting to watch as we approach the season.

3 of 4 conference championship quarterbacks were drafted in MLB

In the AFC and NFC championship games, 75% of the starting quarterbacks were drafted by a MLB team. Super Bowl winner Russell Wilson was the most successful baseball player of the three, playing two years for the Colorado Rockies' minor league teams and recently being taken in the Rule 5 draft by the Texas Rangers. He hit .229 for two low level teams and played second base. Colin Kaepernick was taken in the 43rd round by the Chicago Cubs after playing in high school. He never played a minor league game.

The Montreal Expos drafted Tom Brady as a catcher out of Sierra High School in the 18th round of the 1995 draft. Brady would have had one of the best arms behind the plate in all of baseball. Peyton Manning is the only one of the four quarterbacks who was not drafted.