GaryMrMets
02-01-2002, 03:38 PM
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/nyy/news/nyy_news_story.jsp?article_id=nyy_20020131_ventura _news&team_id=nyy
News
1/31/2002 11:00 pm ET
Ventura excited for fresh start
Third baseman switches boroughs, ready for Spring Training
By Mark Feinsand
Yankees.com
NEW YORK -- It's not very often that a player gets traded without having to find a new place to live. For Robin Ventura, that's exactly what happened. Now, after three years as the starting third baseman for the New York Mets, Ventura finds himself in the Bronx, manning the hot corner for the defending AL Champion Yankees.
"It will obviously be different," said Ventura, who attended the 22nd Annual Thurman Munson Awards Dinner in Manhattan on Thursday. "Having played three years with the Mets and now playing on the other team in the same city, there will be constant comparisons. As a player and as an organization, you'll have to answer the comparisons. You can still talk to people that you used to, but it's different."
Ventura is in great shape heading into Spring Training, after incorporating kickboxing, biking and running into his offseason workout regimen. He is excited for his first spring camp in Tampa, where he will get to meet his new teammates.
"Every year is exciting. When you go to a new team, there's some anxiety that goes along with it. It's just new and you haven't done it before," Ventura said. "It's different. It's the same as when I signed with the Mets. You sit there and observe, try to mix into what's going on. This is a great team, and I'll try to mix in the best I can. You don't go in there making a loud statement -- you just get to work."
Unlike when he joined the Mets, Ventura is not the only new face in the Yankees' clubhouse. Ventura, who was traded in December for David Justice, will join Jason Giambi, Steve Karsay, Rondell White, John Vander Wal and David Wells as newcomers to the Yankees.
"My first year with the Mets, I was one of the only new people there. Here, I've seen more of the new guys than I have seen of the regular guys. There will be a big learning curve for all of us," Ventura said. "These guys have already done the things that I want to do. If (Joe Torre) wants me to play third and bat wherever, that's what I'm going to do. Whatever he wants me to do, I'll do."
As for his former team, Ventura thinks that the Mets have made some good moves this offseason, though he's very happy to be playing in the Bronx.
"They're definitely improved," Ventura said. "They went out and got guys that are offensive threats -- Mo Vaughn, Robbie Alomar, Roger Cedeno -- it's a different type of team now. Those were the things they obviously felt they needed to improve, and I think they did that."
Ventura hit .237 with 21 home runs and 61 RBIs last season, but is just two years removed from a .301-32-120 season. With the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium, Ventura could put up power numbers reminiscent of 2000, when he helped the Mets reach the World Series.
Ventura, who will be a free agent after the 2002 season, has not decided whether he will seek another contract following the season. He said that while he doesn't know if he'll retire after the season, he chooses not to worry about that as Spring Training approaches.
"If I don't have a good year, there's a pretty good chance (I'll retire)," joked Ventura. "I won't know until it's over. Even last year, as frustrating as it was, it was still fun to go to the park and play. As long as I can keep doing that, I'll keep playing."
Mark Feinsand is the site reporter for Yankees.com. He can be reached at mfeinsand@yankees.com.
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/photo/ph_news_ventura_0131.jpg
Robin Ventura will be one of many new faces in the Yankees' clubhouse in 2002.
News
1/31/2002 11:00 pm ET
Ventura excited for fresh start
Third baseman switches boroughs, ready for Spring Training
By Mark Feinsand
Yankees.com
NEW YORK -- It's not very often that a player gets traded without having to find a new place to live. For Robin Ventura, that's exactly what happened. Now, after three years as the starting third baseman for the New York Mets, Ventura finds himself in the Bronx, manning the hot corner for the defending AL Champion Yankees.
"It will obviously be different," said Ventura, who attended the 22nd Annual Thurman Munson Awards Dinner in Manhattan on Thursday. "Having played three years with the Mets and now playing on the other team in the same city, there will be constant comparisons. As a player and as an organization, you'll have to answer the comparisons. You can still talk to people that you used to, but it's different."
Ventura is in great shape heading into Spring Training, after incorporating kickboxing, biking and running into his offseason workout regimen. He is excited for his first spring camp in Tampa, where he will get to meet his new teammates.
"Every year is exciting. When you go to a new team, there's some anxiety that goes along with it. It's just new and you haven't done it before," Ventura said. "It's different. It's the same as when I signed with the Mets. You sit there and observe, try to mix into what's going on. This is a great team, and I'll try to mix in the best I can. You don't go in there making a loud statement -- you just get to work."
Unlike when he joined the Mets, Ventura is not the only new face in the Yankees' clubhouse. Ventura, who was traded in December for David Justice, will join Jason Giambi, Steve Karsay, Rondell White, John Vander Wal and David Wells as newcomers to the Yankees.
"My first year with the Mets, I was one of the only new people there. Here, I've seen more of the new guys than I have seen of the regular guys. There will be a big learning curve for all of us," Ventura said. "These guys have already done the things that I want to do. If (Joe Torre) wants me to play third and bat wherever, that's what I'm going to do. Whatever he wants me to do, I'll do."
As for his former team, Ventura thinks that the Mets have made some good moves this offseason, though he's very happy to be playing in the Bronx.
"They're definitely improved," Ventura said. "They went out and got guys that are offensive threats -- Mo Vaughn, Robbie Alomar, Roger Cedeno -- it's a different type of team now. Those were the things they obviously felt they needed to improve, and I think they did that."
Ventura hit .237 with 21 home runs and 61 RBIs last season, but is just two years removed from a .301-32-120 season. With the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium, Ventura could put up power numbers reminiscent of 2000, when he helped the Mets reach the World Series.
Ventura, who will be a free agent after the 2002 season, has not decided whether he will seek another contract following the season. He said that while he doesn't know if he'll retire after the season, he chooses not to worry about that as Spring Training approaches.
"If I don't have a good year, there's a pretty good chance (I'll retire)," joked Ventura. "I won't know until it's over. Even last year, as frustrating as it was, it was still fun to go to the park and play. As long as I can keep doing that, I'll keep playing."
Mark Feinsand is the site reporter for Yankees.com. He can be reached at mfeinsand@yankees.com.
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/photo/ph_news_ventura_0131.jpg
Robin Ventura will be one of many new faces in the Yankees' clubhouse in 2002.