John Haper points out this spring's Yankees camp is going to be tougher for the players:

That was part of the reasoning for choosing Girardi over Don Mattingly as the new manager. After all the years of Joe Torre's calming influence, Cashman and the Yankee brass wanted someone who would be a little tougher on players.

And although Girardi has downplayed it, his first camp has included considerably more running for the pitchers and catchers than Torre's camps, and the same is expected today for the first full-squad workout.

The article also speaks to Damon's motivation:

"I'm ready to go out and prove to everyone that I'm still a pretty good player," he said. "I've been pretty consistent over my career, but when you talk about the good players in the league now my name hardly comes up, and I don't think that's right.

Good for Johnny, he's staying competitive.

Update: In a related story, Joe Girardi shows he knows the best defensive alignment for his offense:

"He told me, 'I need you at first base,' " Giambi said yesterday at Legends Field on the eve of the first full squad spring training workout. "It was nice to hear."

If Giambi, who missed nine weeks last season with a foot problem, can stay healthy and produce while playing first base, Girardi will have solved the headache of how to get Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Giambi in the lineup together. Other than finding who can help in the bullpen, the Damon-Matsui-Giambi triangle puzzle is the Yankees' biggest question in camp.

Jason at first gives the Yankees their best possible lineup, and allows Damon, Matsui and Giambi to play every day.