Yankee players received a surprise on Monday when they showed up to team practice. Instead of beginning their usual workout, team manager Joe Girardi took the players to a local pool hall to enjoy a few games. More than sixty players loaded up on a bus and took off for the Tampa area pool hall.

The players really enjoyed the outing and many claimed it was the most fun they had ever had during spring training. Johnny Damon commented that he will never forget the day and it is nice that Joe rewarded the team with a day off because he knows they have been working so hard.

Joe commented that he has never been part of a team to do a field trip like this but he often wondered why more teams do not do it. Joe also stated that it is good to take time off together that way you can learn about each other’s personalities and feel closer to each other.

During the day the players enjoyed a pool tournament as well as card games, dominoes and darts. The day was relaxing and a nice reward for their hard work during spring practice


- 2009-02-24