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Regular duty is next in Spencer's odyssey

Outfielder has conquered the minors and a stream of injuries along the way.

By MIKE READLING, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 1, 2002

[AP photo] Shane Spencer returned to the Yankees from a series of injuries midway through last season, and he believes his often-spectacular efforts impressed manager Joe Torre.

TAMPA -- It took Shane Spencer nine years of minor league toiling to get a shot in the majors.

His journey took him from Tampa to Oneonta, N.Y., to Greensboro, N.C., back to Tampa then to Norwich, Conn., and Columbus, Ohio, before finally getting called up to the Yankees 877 games later. When he got there, the outfielder made the most of it, hitting 10 home runs in his first 27 games late in 1998.

It looked like Spencer had ensured himself a spot in the New York outfield for years to come. Then came the injuries -- atrial fibrillation in 1999 and stiffness in his hamstring followed by a torn ACL in 2000 and rehabilitation for that injury last season.

That's why this spring is so interesting, not to mention a little bit surprising.

Manager Joe Torre said the 30-year old deserved the chance to play every day and said the rightfield position, vacated when Paul O'Neill retired this offseason, is Spencer's to lose this spring. For Spencer, that decision was a long time coming.

"I think that I wasn't playing at the beginning of the playoffs last year and when I did come in I was healthy and was really aggressive and I think (Torre) liked that," Spencer said. "I think he saw in my face that I was ready to play.

"It doesn't matter to me. It seems like I've been fighting for a job since I signed when I was 18."

Spencer's main competition will be newly acquired John Vander Wal in one of the few positions up for grabs this spring. "No matter who they're going to put out there, it's going to be really good," Spencer said. "And the guys who won't be playing are great guys anyway. Whether it's me or Vander Wal, whoever's not playing. I don't think we'll have a problem with it. Of course we want to play, but we're going to contribute no matter what."

Free agent signee Rondell White will play leftfield, assuming he stays healthy for the first time in three seasons. Other than that, the major debate will be the five-man rotation with six pitchers vying for spots.

The definites are Roger Clemens, the probable Opening Day starter, Andy Pettitte and Mike Mussina. Battling for the remaining positions are David Wells, Sterling Hitchcock and Orlando Hernandez, who is returning from an injury-plagued 2001.

Otherwise, the Yankees seem set with their starters. The team signed 1996 World Series hero Jim Leyritz to a minor-league contract, allowing him to compete with Todd Greene and Alberto Castillo for the chance to back up catcher Jorge Posada.

The biggest change will be the newcomers in camp.

Jason Giambi came over from Oakland to play first base, Wells returned after a three-year trip through Toronto and Chicago and Robin Ventura was acquired in a trade with the Mets to play third base. All three provide experience, and Giambi and Wells are vibrant clubhouse presences, replacing the more reserved Tino Martinez and Scott Brosius.

"I think it's a good thing," Spencer said. "We've got some younger faces in here with a little spunk. I really think it's going to be a good mix. We've got a great young gang."

Yankees

Legends Field

Tampa

TICKET INFO: Stadium is at 1 Steinbrenner Drive, Tampa. Reserved seating tickets are $16, $14, $12 and $10. Tickets can be purchased at the box office, through Ticketmaster or by mail (1 Steinbrenner Drive, Tampa 33614) with no postal fee).

CALL: (813) 879-2244 or (813) 287-8844

WEB SITE: www.yankees.mlb.com

MARCH (1:05 starts unless noted)

• 1 -- at Blue Jays
• 2 -- Blue Jays, 1:30
• 3 -- at Astros
• 4 -- Twins, 1:30
• 5 -- Rangers, 1:30
• 6 -- at Rangers
• 7 -- at Rays
• 8 -- at Pirates
• 9 -- Rays, 1:30
• 10 -- Red Sox, 1:30
• 11 -- Phillies
• 12 -- at Blue Jays
• 13 -- Rangers, 1:30
• 14 -- at Reds
• 15 -- Royals, 1:30
• 16 -- at Red Sox (ss)
• 16 -- at Dodgers (ss)
• 17 -- Blue Jays (ss), 1:30
• 17 -- at Dodgers (ss)
• 18 -- off
• 19 -- Reds, 7:15
• 20 -- Pirates, 7:15
• 21 -- at Royals, 7:05
• 22 -- at Blue Jays
• 23 -- Indians, 1:30
• 24 -- Blue Jays, 1:30
• 25 -- at Phillies
• 26 -- Pirates, 7:15
• 27 -- Tigers, 7:15
• 28 -- Reds, 7:15
• 29 -- at Phillies
• 30 -- Phillies, 1:15
• (ss) split squad

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