“Wow” proclaimed Ramon Castro, Pedro Martinez’s batterymate, in response to Martinez’s performance in the Mets’ recent spring win against the Tigers.

At 36, following last years late return from a rotary cuff surgery, Martinez is happy when he doesn’t have to ice his arm after a game. Of course it also helps to stick it to your opponent while feeling good. He pitched four shutout innings. He allowed four hits and struck out four. And in the end, the Mets beat the Tigers 7-4.

His pitching velocity is much stronger than in the past. But Adam Ruibin of the Daily News notes:

“Martinez has been frustrated by preoccupation with his fastball velocity, consistently noting that pitching is the art of location and changing speeds . . . But even Castro . . . was compelled to mention the extra life. It was especially evident in a bases-loaded strikeout of Ramon Santiago . . . Martinez then retired Freddy Guzman on a tapper to first base to end that threat unscathed.”

Who knows. Maybe his training stunt of pitching with his eyes shut paid off. I don’t know, but you can’t argue with results.

This may be a beautiful season for a star veteran with a little more heat in his arm. We may all need to buy our Mets tickets quick to see it for ourselves.

February 14th, Valentines Day, the Yankees start their Spring Training. Many of their stars are returning, with one major new edition. Mr. Joe Girardi takes up uniform No. 27, replacing Joe Torre as the new manager. What’s in store for this team with 26 World Series Titles and new leadership?

For Giraldi’s part, he’s trying to keep a flexible attitude about the challenges instore. He’s quoted saying:

“I think every managing job is different, because of players and all the parts,” Girardi said. “Everyone changes. It’s different people and different situations, with different expectations.”

One thing that Giraldi is inheriting is a franchise with little turnover, with its major stars still in on the roster. They spent more than $400 million to keep it that way. I think this was important, given the new manager. And it’s not as if the team stunk last year either.

I think all in all, it’s a good strategy. Keep the same basic elements in place. Give the franchise a new leader, and see how it plays. At the end of the day, it seems that they’ve got what it takes to be a great team. They just need a chance to do that.

To see how the team does this year, feel free to check online for NY Yankee tickets.

Tino Martinez, the former first baseman for the New York Yankees is coming back to the team, this time as an instructor. He reported to the press that he felt excited to be back on the field with the players.

When asked if he’d pursue opportunities to manage or coach a team in the future ESPN reports that he said:

“Probably, eventually, down the line. I didn’t know how much I would enjoy coaching in college last year, and I really enjoyed it. Right now, I’m just very content with the role I have.”

In other news, the team is likely to finalize a contract with Robinson Cano. They’re looking at a contract worth $57 million over six seasons. If he gets the contract, he will get “$3 million this season, $6 million next year, $9 million in 2010 and $10 million in 2011.”

And finally, as the team gets ready for Spring Training next week, with the steroids controversy looming, team captain Derek Jeter assures the fans that it will not be a distraction. His attitude seems to suggest that he’s seen lots of controversy over his years in the league and figures that the game will go on regardless.

Let’s hope he’s right. To get NY Yankee tickets feel free to click on the link.