Rays/MLB

Rotation changes, fewer games, more stars

By SCOTT PURKS
Published March 26, 2006

Yankees fan Paul Fernandez bought two spring training season tickets to Legends Field for more than $600, but too often, he said, he left frustrated.

"By the time the third inning rolls around I'm seeing No.97 and No.99 out there, and Derek Jeter and Randy Johnson are long gone," Fernandez said. "I end up leaving midway through the game because I'm bored."

He also left lighter in the wallet after, he said, "buying $7 hotdogs and $7 drinks."

What to do? Spring training is so long because pitchers need to throw enough innings, with enough rest in between, so their arms are ready for the season.

An idea: Instead of rotating five starters like the regular season, do some doubling up in the spring. Maybe start Randy Johnson followed by Mike Mussina on the same day.

No one but the pitchers needs 30 games to get ready. Not even close.

And if there were fewer games, even if it was by five or so, No.97 would play less and Derek Jeter and Gary Sheffield would play more.

And most important, the Paul Fernandezes of the world would leave more spring training games happier.

[Last modified March 26, 2006, 00:26:15]