Teixeira introduced as Yankees defend spending spree

NEW YORK: Mark Teixeira said on Tuesday he was elated to join his childhood team as the New York Yankees welcomed the powerful first baseman and defended a free agent spending spree that has reached $423.5 million.

"Pure joy," Teixeira, 28, said about the move, where he will follow boyhood idol Don Mattingly in patrolling first base when he wore the pinstripes of the Bronx Bombers.

The switch-hitting Teixeira, a winner of two Gold Gloves for his defence, batted a combined .308 with 33 homers and 121 RBIs in a season split between the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels.