Welcome back TINO?... You belong to the Yankees. He was the fan favorite first baseman during his stay from 1996-2001. He helped to win four World Series championships in six seasons in New York. He was a solid replacement for soon going to be Hall of Famer Matingly (current hitting coach) with solid stats and his leadership skills were unmatchable. He was a close ally of Derek Jeter. He was let go after 01 season, Boss wanted to replace him with the biggest present on that year free agency, Jason Giambi. Last Saturday, Yankees re-signed him to a one-year contract with an option for 2006 worth $3 million guaranteed. Tino will have different assignment this time around. He is singed to backup Jason Giambi, if Jason is not going to be able to play (trade/injury), Tino will fill the position. Tino is not the same hitter as he was but with the Yankees lineup he will get a ball to hit and will have more than 100 RBI season (if plays full time). Tino batted .262 with 23 homers and 76 RBI last year with Devil Rays. He was one of my favorite non Yankees farm products (another being Paul O?Neill) I really didn?t like the signing of Jason Giambi to replace Tino. Even after his poor performance at plate, I thought Tino was doing great job, his main asset was his leadership skills and a clubhouse aura. Everyone on the team respected him and liked him and his work habits were beyond question. When Yankees needed him, he delivered. I still remember that Hallowen day, when Tino Martinez belted the 2 run HR to tie on the 9th with 3-1 down on the series during 01 series with Diamondbacks. Later Derek Jeter hit HR on the 10th to win the game. Next day Scott Broscious belted another HR in similar situation. It all started with Tino, eventually they lost the series with Louis Gonzalez blooper in the 9th. I am sure Yankees brasses must be thinking hard now after the revelation of Giambi?s admission of taking Steroids. I hope Tino has few years left to service Yankees and retires as a Yankees. The other thing that will seem strange to Martinez when he returns to the Stadium's home clubhouse is that the Yanks have not won a championship since he left.. Yankees doesn?t have same clubhouse chemistry after the departures of Martinez and retired teammates like Paul O'Neill, Scott Brosius. Yankees have been signing great players (Mussina, Giambi, Vazquez) every year but they come up short in October. I hope Tino will bring back the magic in the locker room and brings another championship to the best baseball city in the world, NEW YORK.