Yankees at Virginia Tech

Yankees at Virginia Tech
English Field - Blacksburg, Va.
Game Time: 3:05 p.m.
TV/radio: YES - MLB.TV(for free)

"The Yankees - everyone always wants to call them 'Evil Empire' and stuff like that, (but) they're going the extra mile. They don't have to do this. They have a lot of work to do to get ready. It's just amazing that they're doing this."

- Hokies' first baseman Sean O'Brien

"Last season, one month after the shootings at Tech, the Yankees owner gave the university $1 million for the victims' fund. No other team responded like that -- only my Yankees. Derek Jeter handed over the check.

"Today the Yankees will play some baseball at Virginia Tech. My mother and I won't go to the game; it would be a bit too much for her, and I think students should get the few seats available.

"Nevertheless, mom and I are mighty puffed-up Yankee fans today, and the game will be proof, one more time, that baseball -- any sport, really -- can still be common ground, and a playing field a place of comfort in times of trouble."

- Virginia Tech English teacher Ed Weathers

For one day the Yankees aren't the most hated franchise in the world. Nice for a change, isn't it?

Here are the lineups (hat tip to Peter Abraham):

YANKEES
Johnny Damon, LF
Derek Jeter, SS
Bobby Abreu, RF
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Jason Giambi, DH
Jorge Posada, C
Robinson Cano, 2B
Shelley Duncan, 1B
Melky Cabrera, CF

Pitching: Jeff Karstens, Britton, Ramirez, Patterson

HOKIES
Pitching: Andrew Wells

-- The game will be 7 innings.

-- The Yankees' front office is well-represented. general partner Hal Steinbrenner, president Randy Levine, and general manager Brian Cashman will all be in attendance. (Hank, you should be there too)