PANAMA CITY, Panama -- The last time CC Sabathia walked into Panama City's Rod Carew Stadium, he was here to play first base in a charity softball game being held by former Yankees teammate Andruw Jones.
On Sunday afternoon, Sabathia will have his chance to play a little hardball, taking the mound for his third start of the spring as the Yankees celebrate Mariano Rivera's legacy.
The left-hander said that he has enjoyed the change of venue, breaking up the grind of Spring Training for a few days.
"I think it's cool," Sabathia said. "It's been a lot of fun. People are excited that we're here, the players are excited to be here. The field looks awesome."
Sabathia said that he was "a little annoyed at myself" after his last start, in which he allowed three earned runs in three innings to the Nationals, walking a pair of batters.
"I was just frustrated with that," Sabathia said. "I have to realize it is still just Spring Training, and I am still working, trying to get ready for Opening Day. I guess I shouldn't take myself so serious; it's just Spring Training."
Sabathia has been toying with a cutter that Andy Pettitte gave him a few pointers on. Sabathia said that there's a certain retired closer who might be able to speak more to that pitch.
"I'm going to talk to Mo at some point," Sabathia said. "Probably not this trip, but when we get back up to New York, I'll talk to him about it, and see his grip and everything."
Former teammates thrilled to visit Mo's home
PANAMA CITY, Panama -- It is the experience that Mariano Rivera has dreamed about. Having the Yankees come to Panama is an event that was years in the making, and it has proven to be a fantastic success.
The Yankees arrived in Panama on Thursday evening and enjoyed a whirlwind of events Friday, including a visit to the Panama Canal with Rivera serving as the team's tour guide and two events benefiting Panama City's Children's Hospital.
"You know this is special for Mo," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "He'll never forget this. I know he wants this to continue and to go on every year, and so far, so good. As I've said, it has been a great experience."
Yankees captain Derek Jeter was among the players visiting the hospital, helping to distribute a selection of toys to sick children.
"It was sad, but at the same time it was gratifying because you get a chance to see the smile on the kids' faces," Jeter said. "It's mainly because we gave them toys, not because it was us, so I think they were happy to play with some new toys. It's fun."
A gala dinner was held in Rivera's honor on Friday evening at the Trump Ocean Club International Hotel and Tower, attended by more than 500 people and raising funds to benefit the Children's Hospital.
Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia, who will start Saturday's 1:05 p.m. ET game at Rod Carew Stadium, said that Rivera seems to have been enjoying the festivities.
"I know he's excited. You can tell," Sabathia said. "He's just been smiling ear to ear since he got off the plane. For them to bring us here, the events that he's put on, it's been awesome. I know he's really excited."
Jeter, Rivera and Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton took part in a news conference on Saturday morning to officially kick off the 'Legend Series,' also held at the Trump hotel. A baseball clinic was scheduled for Saturday afternoon at Rod Carew Stadium; Yankees players Zoilo Almonte and Gary Sanchez attended and worked with groups of underprivileged children.
"We're here to bring baseball to Panama and expand it, and to be able to be a part of this -- it's something so simple for us," Stanton said. "This is a weekend for us, a 2 1/2 hour flight, but it's so huge to this country and this city."
Yankees president Randy Levine said that Rivera lobbied the team to visit Panama a few years back, and hoped to include a trip as part of his farewell 2013 campaign. Logistical issues made that impossible, but after last season was filled by tributes to Rivera's illustrious playing career, this visit marks the perfect cherry on top of the farewell tour.
"This is his country," Levine said. "When you go around and you see the way the people of Panama adore him, the respect they have for him and his love for this country."
Jeter said that he is visiting Panama for the third time; he was here in the late 1990s as part of a promotional event for Fila, and also a few years ago for an Andruw Jones charity softball game at Rod Carew Stadium. For the captain, the trip is a strong reminder of how important Rivera is to Panama.
"I'm well aware of that," Jeter said. "I've been around town the last couple times I was here. When you think of Panamanian baseball, the first thing that comes to mind is Mo. And people appreciate him here."
Jeter slated to start back-to-back games
PANAMA CITY, Panama -- Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that he still checks to see how hard Derek Jeter is running to first base, searching for any hint of a wince. Thus far, there has been nothing but positive news to report.
"He's a lot further ahead than he was last spring, I can tell you that," Girardi said on Saturday. "Last spring, we were watching him force it, we were watching him limp, not being able to play back-to-back games. It's a much different spring. It's got a much different feel to it."
Jeter started at shortstop on Saturday evening as the Yankees entertained the Marlins at Rod Carew Stadium. As Jeter prepares for his farewell season, Girardi is excited by the prospect of having Jeter unhindered by his surgically repaired left ankle.
"I remember last year and how hard that was for him," Girardi said. "I have seen nothing to make me think it's going to be a problem at any point this year."
Girardi said that his plan is to have Jeter serve as the designated hitter on Sunday afternoon, a nod to playing a day game after a night game.
"It's a really quick turnaround," Girardi said. "8:00 and 1:00 is really quick. All of our guys are going to have to make that. We always think it's important that you do it in Spring Training because you're going to have to do it during the season. You kind of prepare guys."
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