YANKEE NOTES

CLEARWATER – The note on the bottom of the travel roster told you whom the Yankees play today.

“All position players will travel tomorrow,” was scrawled on the bottom of the sheet posted in the Yankees’ clubhouse at Legends Field and at Brighthouse Network Field, where the Yankees beat the Phillies, 12-3.

In addition to Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield, Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada making the short trip to St. Petersburg to face the Devil Rays, closer Mariano Rivera was on the list.

George Steinbrenner admits to being embarrassed when the lowly Devil Rays topple the Yankees. The Boss is expected to be on hand today.

“This is the game they circle on the schedule,” Jason Giambi said, half-jokingly. “It’s the World Series.”

Javier Vazquez, who could be the pitcher left behind when the Yankees go to Japan, starts today.

* Gary Sheffield hit a homer off the roof of the left-field Tiki Bar that bounced over the structure.

A-Rod had his most active fielding game at third base, handling a bunt single by Jimmy Rollins cleanly and starting a 5-4-3 double play.

* There isn’t room for Bubba Crosby, but the left-handed hitting outfielder has made Joe Torre notice him.

“We know who he is and that’s the highest compliment you can pay him,” Torre said of the 27-year-old who was acquired from the Dodgers last August for Robin Ventura.