TAMPA, Fla. — For more than four decades, the Yankees’ lineup has almost always included a first baseman with left-handed power. Think of Chris Chambliss, Don Mattingly, Tino Martinez, Jason Giambi and Mark Teixeira. Chances are you picture a lot of home runs clearing the inviting right-field wall in the Bronx.
Now think of Greg Bird. Manager Joe Girardi confirmed the other day that Bird, another left-handed hitter, had won the starting job at first base. It was Girardi’s easiest decision of spring training: Through Friday, Bird had six home runs, plus a .432 batting average.