John Launches Uphill Effort to Stay With the Yankees

Dallas Green’s trek through the clubhouse moments before the New York Yankees’ first official spring workout Thursday was not a casual stroll but a purposeful walk.

“Anyone sulking?” he asked. Yes, he had seen the crowd around Tommy John earlier, and Green’s curiosity got the better of him. The new manager had to know if the 45-year-old pitcher auditioning for a job had anything sour to say about his situation.

What John told reporters he could have said to Green’s face without being insulting. He compared the situation to the one he faced in 1986 when Lou Piniella was manager.

“Then I was the 21st of 23 pitchers, now I’m the 19th of 19,” John said.

Actually, there is more competition for John than that. There are 18 pitchers on the Yankees’ roster, and John is one of seven non-roster pitchers. His biggest competitor, however, is his manager.

Green’s remarks on the matter have been cautious. He is aware John is one of George Steinbrenner’s pets. But as recently as Wednesday, Green said John’s fate is in the hands of the other pitchers on the staff.

To that, John said, “It was the same in ’86. Then guys broke down or had bad games, and I moved my way up. I moved up as attrition took over. It’s like a race-car driver moving up in the field as guys drop out. If everybody pitches well, then it’s lights out for me. Six weeks is a long time, though. A lot of things can happen.”

John believes he can survive, the way he has the past few years.