R & R it wasn't: a trip to Japan offered little rest for the Devil Rays and the Yankees--and no relaxation for the New Yorkers. How quickly the teams settle back into a normal schedule will shape the starts of their seasons.(Baseball) From: The Sporting News | Date: April 12, 2004| Author: | COPYRIGHT 2004 Sporting News Publishing Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information) Copyright information

There was a decided give and take to opening the major league baseball season in Japan. The Yankees never appeared comfortable while playing the first official games of 2004 in Tokyo. The Devil Rays, on the other hand, were much looser.

It surely had something to do with expectations. The Yankees arrived as one of the greatest offensive teams ever assembled, with George Steinbrenner's acquisition of Alex Rodriguez elevating the already-powerful club to an even loftier level. The lowly Devil Rays were, well, the lowly Devil Rays.

New York's opening-day starter, Mike ...

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