YANKEE NOTES
David Cone’s aneurysm in 1996 taught the Yankees to get along without a key cog. They have survived Bernie Williams, Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera and Chuck Knoblauch going on the shelf. And they didn’t melt when Derek Jeter was on the disabled list in 1998 or 2000.
Still, Joe Torre says his club misses Jeter at the start of this season.
“It’s a big gap,” Torre said of the loss of Jeter, who will be activated from the DL Saturday and in the lineup against the Blue Jays. “We have tried to be business as usual. Over the years, I think David Cone got us used to performing and playing and dealing with injuries. He was the first major one we had. You try not to rely on any one person for that reason because if that person disappears, you tend to lose your confidence. We have never had a problem, emotionally or confidence-wise with someone left out of the lineup. But you are so used to having him around, not only in the lineup but in the clubhouse.”
The original plan called for Jeter to be in the clubhouse tomorrow night. However, Jeter wants to play in a game at the Yankees’ minor league complex in Tampa tomorrow and then fly to New York. So, he won’t take BP with the Yankees tomorrow night.
Playing short for seven innings in an extended spring game yesterday, Jeter went 1-for-5. Shane Spencer, who was used as a DH, went 1-for-4 in five innings.
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Christian Parker is leaving 16 tickets for family and friends tomorrow night when he makes his major-league debut against the Blue Jays. Sandy and Rick Parker, mom and dad, will be on hand. So, too, will brothers Andrew and Jarred and their wives.
And there will be another nice touch to Parker’s night. Edward DuBois, Parker’s best friend from childhood and a huge Yankee fan his entire life, will take in his first major league game.
“With me on the mound,” Parker said of DuBois, who helped protect Parker, a high school quarterback in Albuquerque, from his right guard position. “He won’t know what to do with himself. He was excited when I got traded, excited when I was put on the roster and excited when he came to spring training.”
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It made no difference to Scott Seabol that he didn’t get into Monday’s 7-3 Opening Day win over the Royals. The fact that the former 88th round draft pick was on hand was a reward.
“It’s something I have worked hard at for a long time,” said Seabol, who made the club when Henry Rodriguez’ back blew out on the final day of spring training. “I didn’t play, but I didn’t expect to. Not only is this the big leagues, but this is the best team ever.”
RHP Mike Mussina makes his Yankees debut today against RHP Dan Reichert.
