Joe Girardi spent his first day as manager of the New York Yankees mapping out plans for spring training, not sitting in front of a television watching the congressional hearing on steroids in baseball. No team has been affected more by fallout from the Mitchell Report, which contained allegations that Roger Clemens and current Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte used performance-enhancing drugs.
Still, Girardi is determined not to let that become a distraction.
``I've seen Andy go through difficult times and rise to the occasion and be able to focus on the task at hand,'' Girardi said. ``I know Andy Pettitte's heart, and I know come April he'll be ready to go.''
Pettitte was given permission to report late to camp. The Yankees also held a seven-hour meeting Wednesday in which Girardi, general manager Brian Cashman and other staff members discussed the entire roster.
Pitchers and catchers report Thursday and will begin workouts on Friday. Pettitte, who has acknowledged using human growth hormone and told congressional lawyers that Clemens informed him nearly a decade ago he had used HGH, is to arrive no later than Monday.
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