THE DIPLOMAT

The venerated former captain of the Yankees, Don Mattingly, who is making his annual visit to Yankee camp as an instructor, commented on the George/Jeter business:

"It was part of [Yankee culture] 15, 20 years ago, it's part of it today, and it will probably be part of it five or 10 years from now," Mattingly said. "You grow up in it. It's normal.

"I don't have any advice for Derek other than 'be himself.' He's handled himself great so far. He's won championships, he's a great player and he's been a great guy for the team. There's no reason to think that won't keep happening."

..."It's easy for me to laugh, I'm back on a farm in Indiana."

And that's the truth: thhhpppt.