Spring training is officially underway and the New York Yankees have no shortage of star-studded guests making their way to Tampa in the coming month.
You’ve followed the beat writers on Twitter. You’ve watched the Instagram videos. You are getting your fill of New York Yankees baseball in what could be the most anticipated season in recent years.
Another part of spring training are the numerous guest instructors who will make their appearances, assisting both veterans and rookies in navigating the world of the New York Yankees.
This season, the Yankees have a whole slew of guest instructors coming in, including a recent World Series MVP, a loveable ballplayer-turned-musician, and a legend who has a great relationship with rookie Clint Frazier.
Guest instructors due in camp: Alfonso Soriano, Stump Merrill, Lee Mazzilli, Mark Teixeira, Willie Randolph, Nick Swisher, Reggie Jackson, Ron Guidry, Hideki Matsui, Bernie Williams, Tino Martinez #Yankees
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) February 13, 2018
That’s an All-Star lineup right there, mixing together some recent players with some classic New York legends. You can bet that quite a few Yankees would benefit from these guest instructors.
Alfonso Soriano will likely be spending some time with these young infielders, especially Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar. Mark Teixeira and Greg Bird will become best buds (again) at the first base position. Ron Guidry will take on the task of working with young pitchers like Jordan Montgomery, Chance Adams and Justus Sheffield.
Multiple Yankees generations will be colliding this year at spring training and if we weren’t ready for it then, we certainly are now that this list has been released.
Now for the “uh oh” portion of the news. It seems as though CC Sabathia has slightly injured himself during his first full workout of the spring, as reported by George A. King III of the New York Post.
CC Sabathia rolled left ankle during first fielding drill of camp.
“I’m good,” Sabathia said leaving GMS Field with the ankle wrapped. GM Brian Cashman said it wasn’t a concern.— George A. King III (@GeorgeAKingIII) February 14, 2018
While it doesn’t seem like much, anything in the lower extremities of CC Sabathia will warrant some concerns. With his ongoing issues with his knees, it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to the big lefty.
And, of course, the Yankees couldn’t go through Valentine’s Day without giving us something to love. So on Wednesday we got to watch Aaron Judge address the media for the first time this spring.
Aaron Judge: “If I've got to make a play for my team, I’m gonna run through a wall for them.” pic.twitter.com/oODodSvtyW
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) February 14, 2018
Basically we learned that Aaron Judge will put the team first, no questions asked. That’s what he did last season, as he played through a sore shoulder just to help out his team.
Plus, the way he addresses the media and answers questions is like that of a seasoned professional, not a rookie entering his second full season.
The Yankees are so lucky to have Aaron Judge. They’re also so lucky to have a star-studded lineup of guest instructors to bring to camp. They’re also pretty lucky in general because they have a damn good team. The season hasn’t even started and the Yankees are already bringing the excitement.
