There are puff pieces in the local papers this morning on Alex Rodriguez and Tony Womack. Meanwhile, Derek Jeter is scheduled to take batting practice today, but Bernie Williams is still aching. Unfortunately, this is something we are all too familiar with. It can't be much fun for ol' Bernie either:

"It seems to be a pattern with me, I guess," Williams said. "I figure there's nothing I can do about it. It just seems funny that every year something happens that throws my normal spring training pattern off."

..."Bernie works hard. It's just been tough," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "He has had some problems in spring training, but I think since he had the problems with the shoulders where he had the surgery, I think he's gotten into a mode where he's doing what he has to do in the off-season, and he did that again this off-season." (Newark Star-Ledger)

Traditionally, it takes Bernie a few months to settle into a good groove. But considering his advanced age, you've got to wonder when his body will turn on him for good.