Three observations  —  1) A sudden reversal of fortune.  The Yankees entered last season believing that they'd be carried by what they were sure would be a powerful and question-mark-free offense, and hoping that an ace-less pitching staff — which was to include a bunch of rookies at its backend …

Cashman Takes Issue With Book Anecdote About Giambi  —  Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman angrily took issue Thursday night with an anecdote about him and Jason Giambi that is contained in a new book about Roger Clemens.  —  The book, “The Rocket That Fell to Earth,” (Harper Collins) …

PR woman claims Bernie Williams hit her at club  —  Buzz up!  —  SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)—A woman has filed a complaint against former Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams for allegedly hitting her at a nightclub while she took his picture.  —  Officer Angel Nazario …

Venezuelan team bus catches on fire … MIAMI — The bus that transported the Venezuelan team to the World Baseball Classic caught fire after the team was dropped off at Dolphin Stadium Friday afternoon.  No injuries were reported.  —  The team was practicing in the stadium for the WBC …

Mets' Santana Feels ‘Pretty Good’ in Spring Debut  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Johan Santana's first Grapefruit League appearance of the season was notable more for what did not happen than what did.  —  Santana did not clutch his elbow, knee or any other body part that would give the Mets reason for concern.

Sneak Peak Inside Citi Field Reveals Final Touches … Sitting in the field-level seats at the new Citi Field ballpark will give spectators quite a view.  But if you don't want to open your wallets that wide, you can always head up to the cheaper seats in the promenade — a much different experience from the old Shea Stadium.

Rockies' rotation races continue  —  TUCSON — What was considered an area of depth is increasingly becoming a question mark for the Rockies.  —  With 25 days remaining until the opener at Arizona's Chase Field, the Rockies' rotation consists of three men and two maybes.

New York Yankees prospect Jesus Montero is working hard to catch on  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Even before his bat earned him universal regard as the top Yankees prospect, before his raw power prompted the organization to pony up $1.6 million to sign him, before some observers hailed …

Mets slow down Billy's quick recovery  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Billy Wagner, who has been throwing in his native Virginia, has been shut down by the Mets.  But there's no bad news.  Mets officials are concerned an enthusiastic Wagner is trying to rehab from Sept. 10 Tommy John surgery too quickly …

‘Pat the Bat’ thanks Philly fans in newspaper ads … PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Pat Burrell isn't with the Phillies anymore, yet the City of Brotherly Love is still close to his heart.  —  The former Philadelphia slugger took out large ads in two of the city's largest newspapers Friday to thank …

PADRES: Towers still looking for a few good arms  —  Club not satisfied with options in bullpen, back of rotation  —  Opening Day remains almost a month away, but Padres general manager Kevin Towers is already seeking to bolster the club's pitching staff.  —  Towers isn't sure if the Padres …

M's defense was “above average” in 2008  —  Many thanks to Larry Stone for pulling OT duty filling in for me this week while I was in Philadelphia after the death of a close family member.  Larry even broke the story yesterday about the M's signing of Chad Cordero to a minor-league deal that could …