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By Times wires and PETE YOUNG
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 25, 2001
Henson joins Yankees
University of Michigan quarterback Drew Henson, in line to be the top pick in next year's NFL draft, agreed Saturday to a $17-million, six-year contract with the Yankees and is giving up football.
"To me, there would be no greater goal than to help win a World Series for the New York Yankees," he said. "I will keep memories of the University of Michigan close to my heart."
Henson, 21, is to report Monday and likely will spent much of the season at Triple-A Columbus.
Walking away from his senior season for a chance at becoming the starting third baseman in 2002 was "the biggest sacrifice I will ever make," Henson said.
NOTES: Shortstop Derek Jeter could start the season on the disabled list. He missed drills Saturday because of a right quadriceps injury. ... Roger Clemens will start on opening day, followed by Andy Pettitte. ... Christian Parker, competing for the fifth starter's job, pitched on three days' rest and had his worst start, but got his first win, 7-5.
CLEARWATER -- Robert Person, making his first start since March 12, allowed five runs and 11 hits in four innings against the Yankees. He struck out four and walked none.
Person was scratched March 17 because of tenderness in his right shoulder, and was rained out Monday.
"No problems physically," Person said. "They hit my off-speed pitches."
NOTES: Eddie Oropesa continued a strong bid to be the second left-handed reliever. He pitched two shutout innings, and hasn't allowed a run in 10 games, a span of 11 innings. ... Pat Burrell struck out twice against Parker. ... The crowd of 7,208 at Jack Russell Stadium was the largest since April 2, 1993, when 7,350 watched the Phillies play the Red Sox.
ST. PETERSBURG -- The Blue Jays acquired Steve Parris from the Reds in the off-season with the expectation he would be a key cog in the rotation. The results have been mixed.
The right-hander, who was 12-17 with a 4.81 ERA last season, made his sixth appearance against the Rays at Florida Power Park. He went five innings, allowing three earned runs and seven hits in Toronto's 3-2 loss.
For the spring, Parris has pitched 202/3 innings and allowed 24 hits and 11 earned runs. Manager Buck Martinez, however, was impressed with Parris' grit. He pitched with the flu and overcame a shaky start.
"He wasn't feeling well, and the one pitch in the whole game he'd like to have back, I'm sure, is the pitch to (Ben) Grieve in the first inning (which Grieve hit for a two-run double)," Martinez said. "He didn't have great stuff, but I think he learned something: That you can go out there and pitch when you're not 100 percent. That was a good effort."
(LACK OF) CLUTCH HITS: It wasn't until Toronto's 11th hit, in the sixth inning, that the Jays scored.