Ok You Guys Pair Up in Threes! See Yankees Top Prospects Focus on Their Dream

Feel the excitement in the air, spring baseball is ALMOST here! The New York Yankees are back and taking the field next Wednesday, March 2nd in the Spring opener against the Detroit Tigers at George M. Steinbrenner Field . This is the first spring training since the passing of Yankees' great Yogi Berra. The team will wear Yogi's No. 8 on their sleeves as we recall our favorite ‘Yogi-isms’ like, “ Ok you guys, pair up in threes!” and, watch top prospects take the field in hopes of realizing their dreams.

"I think it's difficult for all of us." ~ Yankees Manager Joe Girardi about Yogi.

It's been 50+ years since 18-time All-Star and 10-time World Series champion Yogi Berra took the field, he will be missed at Steinbrenner this year, but his indomitable spirit will most certainly be felt by seasoned players and top prospects alike. Always excited to meet the 'prospects' Yogi never forgot what it was like to dream, Berra got 'the call' September 22, 1946, playing 7 Major League games that season, and the rest, as they say, is 'history'.

From the crack of the bat, to the sound of the crowd and the swoosh of clay as it is swept from home plate, Yankee legends, fans and, lovers of the game will watch seasoned players and top-prospects strive to make their dream come true as the New York Yankees begin pursuit of their 28th World Series title right here in Tampa!

"I see great things in baseball." — Walt Whitman

Pitchers and Catchers reported to George M. Steinbrenner Field last Thursday, February 18 and position players report on the 24th. Here at 813area we can’t wait to see Joe Girardi's squad go against the Boston Red-Sox on March 5th while 11,000+ baseball fans cheer on!

Tickets are available for all Home games on this year’s schedule. There are 5 night games at Home this year, don’t wait, reserve your seats now, these games will sell out!

March 16: Toronto Blue Jays, 6:35 p.m.
March 18: Baltimore Orioles, 6:35 p.m.
March 22: New York Mets, 6:35 p.m.
March 24: Tampa Bay Rays, 6:35 p.m.
March 29: Pittsburgh Pirates, 6:35 p.m.

People seem to find it hard to believe, but I'm a very serious person. It wasn't luck that I became a ballplayer. I never wanted to be anything else and I never considered anything else and I worked my tail off for it. ~ Yogi Berra

We are excited to see newly acquired closer Aroldis Chapman from the Cincinnati Reds, second baseman Starlin Castro, and outfielder Aaron Hicks this season. Baseball fans are keeping an eye on favorite players Masahiro Tanaka, Michael Pineda, Nathan Eovaldi and Luis Severino as well as 23 year old Top-Prospect outfielder Aaron Judge. Will 2016 see Aaron’s first ever MLB game? Standing 6’ 7” tall Aaron Judge stands out! We can’t wait to see how Aaron does, will this be his year?

Top prospect Aaron Judge arrived in Tampa reporting early to camp.

Another 23 year old prospect attempting to earn his way onto the roster is catcher Gary Sanchez. Gary signed in 2009 as a 16 year-old, and has a strong chance at making the New York Yankees Opening Day roster. Gary will be fun to watch!

Top - Prospect catcher Gary Sanchez

Estevan Florial, a young man from The Dominican Republic sat home in tears not long ago as friends signed lucrative contracts while an error on his birth certificate kept Estevan from his dream. We hope to see this Yankees 'Captain's Camp' player take the field this spring; his endearing smile will certainly translate the excitement this Rookie Prospect feels about playing in Tampa this spring!

One to watch: Prospect Estevan Florial

For every prospect, being in Tampa for Spring Training gets them one step closer to their dream of playing in the Major Leagues. How fortunate are we to have the opportunity to see these young men pursue their dreams!