The Daily Yankeeland

The Yankees finish up the spring training schedule (hard to believe we're there already) with a pair of games in Miami against the Florida Marlins. It's a bit of a homecoming of course for Joe Girardi who was manager of the year as the Marlins skipper in 2006 and then was fired after clashing with the Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria. Girardi also butted heads with the beat writers at times so it should be interesting to see what they write this weekend. Both games will broadcast on WCBS radio.

The Yankees 25 man roster is just about finalized. We know that Morgan Ensberg, Shelley Duncan, Jose Molina, and Wilson Betemit will be on the bench, and the final bullpen spots will probably be go to Darrell Rasner (please, anyone but Igawa) and Brian Bruney. Scott Patterson had better be here some time this season.

Kay is for Kool-aid: Michael Kay was overly effusive with his praise of George Steinbrenner in the wake of the Legends Field renaming ceremony. You would have thought Georgie was the greatest thing since sliced bread according to his YESman Kay, who poured on the praises on his 1050ESPN radio show. As you recalled Kay also shredded JoeTorre for weeks after his contract negotiation fell through. Stick to announcing Michael.

Former traveling secretary George Costanza David Szen has asked the court to be spared prison time for failing to report more than $50,000 in tips from players and coaches. Szen pleaded guilty back in December.

According to Peter Abraham, Andy Pettitte threw a 25-pitch bullpen session today in Tampa and felt great.

“As far as during my bullpen and stuff like that, I feel great,” Pettitte told the AP. “It loosened up good. Do I still feel it walking around? Yeah. Sunday is a good day. I need to get some good work in. That’s all I’m looking for now.”

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Costanza Never Would Have Done It

George Costanza was lazy, inconsiderate, a liar...but not a tax cheat. Okay so maybe he was never caught. The same can't be said for David Szen. The latter pleaded guilty in federal court to filing a false tax return and failing to report more than $50,000 in tips from players and coaches. Szen was on a leave of absence during the investigation, but was fired today.

"I was wrong, and for that I'm humbly sorry, your honor," Szen told U.S. District Judge Mark Kravitz.

Szen was released on his own recognizance and will be sentenced March 7. He could get up to six months in prison for a felony conviction. He also faces a fine of up to $100 grand and must pay $10,285 in back taxes plus interest and penalties.

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Take the Money and Run

Yankees traveling secretary David Szen is involved in a tax investigation and is taking a leave of absence.

Szen was the Yankees' media relations director in 1982, later worked for the Seattle Mariners and returned to the Yankees in the 1990s as traveling secretary.

"We understand that the government is investigating personal tax issues regarding David Szen," Yankees spokesman Howard Rubenstein said Wednesday. "The Yankees have cooperated with that inquiry. David Szen has requested and has been granted administrative leave."

Ben Tuliebitz, the Yankees' assistant media relations director, is taking over Szen's duties. Source

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