``I just talked to Mr. Buffett,' Wilson wrote, ``and he said that he is a big fan of Joba and that the welcome mat is out here anytime!'

``It says a lot about Joba,' Ogilvie, the golfer, wrote via e-mail. ``The amazing thing about an audience with Mr. Buffett, his advice about money is directly correlated to whatever job you are doing, whether it be golf or a pitcher. Discipline wins. And Joba and the Yanks will be better in the long run.'

An unsettling thought for hitters.