TAMPA — Cowboys head coach and former NFL quarterback Jason Garrett spoke to the Yankees Saturday when rain forced the workouts to be held indoors at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Garrett, a former Ivy League Player of the Year at Princeton and Kerry Collins’ backup with the Giants from 2000-03, addressed the Yankees as part of their motivational speaking program. Yankees manager Joe Girardi visited the Cowboys preseason camp last July.
“I met him before, he was awesome,’’ said Brett Gardner, who said he isn’t a Cowboys fan.
General manager Brian Cashman, a Giants fan who once shared an apartment with Giants coach Tom Coughlin’s son in Jersey City, didn’t attend the talk, but spoke glowingly of Garrett.
“I am a big Jason Garrett fan,’’ Cashman said. “I had dinner with him during spring training one year, and he is a very high-end guy. I would have liked to been in the meeting, but I had another meeting.’’
Girardi is expected to announce the starters for the first several exhibition games Sunday. Rain prevented the Yankees from working outdoors Saturday, when Girardi was scheduled to announce the starters. The Yankees’ first exhibition game is Tuesday against the Phillies in Clearwater, and the teams play Wednesday at Steinbrenner Field.
Saturday’s rain pushed Sunday’s scheduled intra-squad activity to Monday.
Girardi needs to talk to Alex Rodriguez before he sets up Rodriguez’s early exhibition game schedule.
“That’s something I have to talk to him about. I will wait until Monday to see where he is at, to see where he is at physically,’’ Girardi said of the 39-year-old Rodriguez, who has played just 44 games in two years and none last season when suspended. “Because we are not there yet, I think it’s important to wait until Monday.’’
Because the Yankees have to know if Rodriguez’s body will hold up, his work load might be a bit higher than in years past. He likely will play in back-to-back games and make more road trips than he is used to.
It doesn’t sound like Carlos Beltran will be roaming right field early in the exhibition season. Beltran is coming off right elbow surgery.
“We are taking it slow. He has done some throwing. We don’t feel with five weeks until [regular season] games there is a reason to rush him,’’ Girardi said. “Let’s make sure he feels really good where he is at.
According to Girardi, the muscle problem in Brendan Ryan’s back is improving. Ryan injured the back lifting weights before camp opened.
“He is not going on the field until next week,’’ Girardi said.
Stephen Drew is the starting second baseman, but Girardi said he will use the former shortstop at his old position in spring games.
“I will put him over there a little bit, you never know what will happen,’’ Girardi said.