By WFAN.com
Luke Voit was one of the biggest surprises for the Yankees last season.
After being acquired midway through the year from the Cardinals, the 6-foot-3 first baseman shined in his 39 games with New York. Voit hit .333/.405/.689 with 14 home runs and 33 RBI, easily taking over as the team's starting first baseman for the final stretch of the season.
Now that Opening Day is just weeks away, Voit finds himself in a battle for the starting first baseman job with Greg Bird.
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Voit joined "Mike's On" Tuesday to discuss his thoughts on the competition with Bird.
"I mean everyone's making it like a competition," Voit told Mike Francesa Tuesday. "We're kind of playing every other day and I get it. He's been here. He's been a big prospect for the Yankees and he's had opportunities...
"I don't see how I couldn't get the opportunity after what I did last year, unless I just couldn't hit at all in spring training. I mean the guy is coming out swinging. It's a friendly battle. He's a good friend of mine."
There is over three weeks to go before the regular season kicks off, but both first basemen have already begun raking at the plate.
Voit is hitting .308 with two home runs and five RBI in 13 at-bats so far this spring. Meanwhile, Bird has looked great with the bat in his hands, going 6-for-13 (.462) with one home run and three RBI.
Despite their competition being one of the biggest storylines at Yankees' camp this spring, the 28-year-old says the battle with Bird has not had an impact on their friendship.
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"No I don't think it makes it tough," Voit said on the position battle's effect on his relationship with Bird. "We both come in, get our stuff done. I'll tell you what, sometimes there's not even enough time in the day to see everyone in our clubhouse because you're always doing stuff. It's spring training so you're trying to get all your stuff done and get out of there.
"We haven't really talked about it. But I mean, I've talked to him plenty and it's never even really been about that."
To listen to Mike's full interview with Luke Voit, click on the audio player above.
