The Yankees had them this year, Ellis, Munson, Klimkowski, Tepadino, Lytle, and now it's those

pitches that have been hanging those curveballs all spring and that's maybe not giving 100% in

spring training. They start bearing down now and now you sort of separate the men from the boys

and I think the Yankees have some great young players but and now is when you find out. Well, I'm sure that the youngsters are anxious to find out how they're going to do, but I've never seen such confidence in the Yankee team since 1964. The last year the Yankees won the pennies. They are there. They're really up. You know, it's the first game of the season. They have 161 more after this. But they're really up. I was lucky enough to pitch 20 minutes of batting practice, and those fellas are really on edge. I know they figure they got a good chance to win it all. Some of them are kind of mad because some of the writers picked them to finish third. They, well, they got a, you know, they got a tough job. They got Baltimore, Boston, who they're playing today, Detroit.

It's a tough job. They got Ballamore, Boston, who they're playing today, Detroit. It's a tough league. They're in a tough division, really. And I expect they're going to have a real good team this year. Well, I'm sure that the fans are going to see some exciting baseball, and it's unusual for a team to bring five rookies, the fellas you named North with them. And today we're

going to have Johnny Ellis, who is going to play first base. That was quite a surprise. It was,

and I know John's a little nervous. His first opening day with the Yankees, Thurman Munson, his first

opening day. So this is going to be a few nervous fellows down there for an inning or two.

But I think since 1951, Phil, I haven't seen so many good young players come with the Yankees. I remember 51, Manel, Gil McDougal, and Tom Morgan came up, and they all made it big with the Yankees. And this is the best crop of young players I've seen since then. Well, that's great news for the Yankee fans, I'm sure, but also for Ralph Halk,

because this is one of the few years since 64 that Ralph will be able to maneuver. He can. He's got great pinch hitting. He's got fellas like Hansen and Ward. He can pinch hit Kurt Fleffrey, who can hit left-handers or right-handers. So he's got a lot to work with, and I know Ralph's going to enjoy this season.

All right, Whitey, and I know Ralph's going to enjoy this season.

All right, Whitey, and you hear the roar of the crowd as the Yankees take the field.

And it is a beautiful day.

Jack, let's have to get a mic.

I don't know. So there he is.

Mel Staddlemyer on the mound.

But right now, Bob Shepard is making an announcement.

And I'm sure you can hear it over the PA system.

If you can't, Whitney Young Jr. will throw out the first ball.

So Mel is waiting, as you can see on the mound.

Until Mr. Young, there he goes.

Pretty good arm.

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