TAMPA — Hank Steinbrenner is like a lot of other voices in the Yankees’ universe when it comes to Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and manager Joe Girardi working in the final years of contracts.
“It won’t have any impact on them,” Steinbrenner said at George M. Steinbrenner Field yesterday. “They will keep doing what they have always done: win.”
As for pressure being on Girardi, Steinbrenner said it will not be a factor.
PHOTOS: HARDBALL WINNERS, LOSERS
“No, he was my choice,” Steinbrenner said. “He was Brian [Cashman’s] choice from the beginning. He proved us right last year.”
Girardi said he wasn’t working under unfair pressure, because he is in the final year of a contract.
“I am one of 30 big league managers and I consider myself pretty fortunate,” Girardi said. “I have been a manager and not a manager for a year and it’s a lot better when you have a job and I feel pretty good about that.
“The pressure comes from within,” he added. “I want to win this year just as bad as I wanted to win last year. The pressure is something I have been dealing with since I was a player.”
⇒Last spring, Girardi used a pool tourney as a bonding tool that helped the Yankees develop chemistry, which led to a World Series.
This year the manager will do something to bring players together. Nevertheless, Girardi said he isn’t sure what the activity will be.
Suggestions of paintball and bowling raised red flags for Girardi.
“Paintball was one, but I didn’t think that was a good idea, guys running through terrain and possibly getting hit in spots they shouldn’t get hit in or falling on a shoulder,” said Girardi, who will hold the outing March 2, the day before the Yankees open the exhibition schedule against the Pirates at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “Bowling is a concern as far as a pitcher’s shoulder.”
⇒The Yankees didn’t give out Hideki Matsui‘s No. 55 or Johnny Damon‘s No. 18. They still haven’t issued Joe Torre‘s No. 6, Bernie Williams‘ No. 51, Paul O’Neill‘s No. 21 and Mike Mussina‘s No. 35. . . . Girardi on wearing No. 28: “Basically it’s a message we aren’t complacent,” Girardi said of chasing the Yankees’ 28th World Series title after wearing 27 last year. . . . Today is the first full workout for pitchers and catchers. According to GM Cashman, everybody is expected to be in camp.
⇒Jeter and a small group of position players continue to work out at the nearby minor league complex. Nick Johnson joined that group yesterday. Johnson, signed to be the DH, took ground balls at first.
Bench coach Tony Pena threw batting practice for the first time.
⇒Girardi is aware the second half of Javier Vazquez‘s only season (2004) as a Yankee wasn’t good. Nevertheless, the manager believes the veteran right-hander will benefit from that the second time in pinstripes.
“He will understand that ‘I need to be myself,’ ” Girardi said of his No. 4 starter. “Some times when you come to New York you try to be a little bit more than you are because you know the expectations are so great. I am sure his first go around will really help him.”
CC Sabathia and Phil Hughes threw bullpen sessions yesterday at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Hughes, who abandoned throwing a change-up when shifted to the bullpen last year, has made using the pitch a priority this spring when he competes for the No. 5 starter’s spot.
“I didn’t throw one out of the bullpen so I want to work on it,” Hughes said. “That will be the focus.”