World still revolves around the Yankees

ST. LOUIS â€”  Derek Jeter and Ryan Howard received their trophies for the Hank Aaron Award on Wednesday night and Jeter was asked a lot of questions, none of them having to do with the Hank Aaron Award. In fact, Aaron himself was fortunate not to be standing between Jeter and the questions that grip New York baseball.

The Yankees fell out of the playoffs early, of course, leading to reports Manager Joe Torre had been fired or would be fired, which kept up until Torre said he would return for another season.

There also was the flammable matter of Alex Rodriguez, who’d flat-lined in the playoffs again, driving speculation he’d be traded.

For assembled reporters, there’s nothing quite like having a Yankee around on a rainy day.

Jeter played it coy.

Asked about Torre and Rodriguez perhaps having to clear the air before spring training, Jeter said, “Clear what air?�

You know, batting Rodriguez eighth and all in Game 4 of the division series.

“I don’t have anything to do with that,� he said. “I haven’t heard of any air that needs to be cleared.�

Did he expect Rodriguez back next season?

“Do I expect him to be back?� Jeter said. “Why? Why wouldn’t I expect him to be back?�

Might he be more supportive of Rodriguez?

“What would you like me to do?� he asked. “You’re there. You support your teammates. Everyone supports all your teammates at all times. I don’t know what else I can do. Maybe I’m not that smart. Maybe you can help me out.�

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San Diego Padres Manager Bruce Bochy, who has a year remaining on his contract, has interviewed twice with San Francisco Giants General Manager Brian Sabean, according to reports. He’d also been linked to the Cubs’ opening before Lou Piniella was hired in Chicago.

Padres President Sandy Alderson, who was at Busch Stadium on Wednesday, said conjecture he’d prefer Bochy to move on was erroneous. He said he simply was allowing an employee to investigate other openings, just as he allowed General Manager Kevin Towers the same chance in Arizona last winter.

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Neither team has stolen a base in the Series, in part because of the strength of the catchers, in part because Detroit’s Sean Casey has reached base four times. “If Sean Casey gets a hit,� Tigers Manager Jim Leyland said, “his steal sign is, if I jump in the air and never come down, he goes.�

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