Peep Show

Updated: March 17, 2004, 9:42 AM ET

American League

Jones

Minnesota Twins: You have good days at work and bad days. Everybody does and they are often predicated by our moods. It should come as no surprise that there are big league ballplayers who also ride an emotional elevator. One such player especially given to these shadows and light is Twins outfielder Jacque Jones. Both his mother and teammate Torii Hunter can predict what kind of game he is going to have simply by looking at him. At least, so it was in the past. La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that that's all behind Jones now. He's learned to walk on the sunny side of the street. In fact, when it was rumored he would be traded in the offseason, he took it in stride. "A couple years ago, I wouldn't have understood the business part of the game as much as I do now," Jones told Neal. "I know teams want me. A lot of teams want me. That's a tribute to me as a player." The Twins are hoping this new attitude translates into a better season than he had in 2003 when he fell off in every single category after a solid 2002, save one: he went from a stealing liability (6 for 13) to a safe bet (13 for 14).

New York Yankees: Can the Yankees get by without Don Zimmer? Joe Torre's bench coach bolted after the 2003 season because he couldn't stand another moment under owner George Steinbrenner's oppression. The 73-year old ex-manager and former infielder told Charlie Nobles of the New York Times that the next time he would work for Steinbrenner was "never ...I don't worry about Steinbrenner anymore. I've got new bosses that treat me like a human being." A reunion of sorts was spoiled by rain yesterday when a sold-out meeting between the Yankees and Rays -- Zimmer's new team -- was cancelled by weather. The Yankees are such a big draw it raises the question, why wasn't this game scheduled for Tropicana Field? So, now that Torre doesn't have Zimmer by his side feeding him priceless information, how many games will it cost the Yankees? Five? 10? 20?

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