TAMPA — Knowing Hal Steinbrenner’s personality, you wouldn’t have expected the Yankees’ managing general partner to deliver an emotional pep talk to the players prior to the initial full-squad workout at George M. Steinbrenner Field Thursday.
Steinbrenner isn’t an annual speaker on the first day but spoke briefly and instructed the players to make sure to take care of the fans, The Post learned.
“There was no particular reason. I knew ahead of time that I would be in town [Thursday]. It was good for all the new guys, and we have a lot of them, to put a face to my name I suppose,” Steinbrenner said.
Joe Girardi said it was a “little strange” not seeing Derek Jeter at GMS Thursday. Brian Cashman said he didn’t think about the Captain being absent. Mark Teixeira said the full impact of Jeter’s retirement won’t come until the regular season starts.
“It will hit home once we get to New York, that’s when we will miss him the most,” Teixeira said.
Hideki Matsui, a guest instructor, arrived in camp and received the loudest ovation from a small gathering when the Yankees took the field.
Jacoby Ellsbury announced the Yankees have something attached to their body not normally found in pinstripes.
“We do have a chip on our shoulders because of the way last year went,” the center fielder said.
With the Red Sox, Ellsbury knew Alex Rodriguez wasn’t very popular among Boston players. However, that didn’t extend to him.
Jacoby EllsburyGetty Images“For whatever reason he was with me,” said Ellsbury, who often chatted with Rodriguez when he reached third base against the Yankees.
If Rodriguez can avoid the DL to start the season, he will be Ellsbury’s teammate for the first time. Growing up as a Mariners fan, Ellsbury watched Rodriguez.
“Unbelievable talent, he was fun to watch as a young kid through the years,” Ellsbury said.
As for where he hits in the order, Ellsbury said he doesn’t have a preference. A leadoff hitter with the Red Sox, Ellsbury hit first 49 times last year, his first as a Yankee. But injuries to Carlos Beltran and Teixeira led Girardi to batting Ellsbury third 93 times.
Ellsbury batted .257 with eight homers and 26 RBIs batting leadoff and .277 with eight homers and 41 RBIs hitting third.
“I haven’t talked to Joe [Girardi,] but he knew last year I was willing to do what was best for the team and that’s the same this year. I will hit anywhere,” Ellsbury said. “I felt comfortable hitting with runners in scoring position if I need to hit third, fourth, ninth, second or first. He knows I am more than willing to do that.”
