Baseball

Over the past decade, the Red Sox have developed a reputation for getting the best value for their players, and sometimes resurrecting careers in the process. 

You probably wouldn't call a player that hit .307, drove in 72 runs, and stole 27 bases a failure, but that's what many fantasy baseball players were caling New York Mets' third baseman David Wright last year.

With the way Wright was viewed before last season—one of the game's true elite third baseman—those numbers just didn't cut it.

During the Padres 2009 season San Diegans had a difficult time deciphering between games played at the downtown Petco Park and riding the Mission Beach Roller Coaster, the “Giant Dipper”, one of two original oceanfront roller coasters still operating on the west coast.

After the first three series last season, the Pads found themselves tied with the Dodgers for 1st place at 7-3. However, as roller coaster enthusiasts well know, what goes up-must come down, and the Padres plummeted to a 25-25 record.

The Tigers were well on their way to the ALDS last year before a September collapse and an Alexi Casilla single ended their 2009 season and left them on the outside looking in, despite leading the AL Central race for much of the year.

Rarely does a player experience such extremes from one year to the next, but Phillies closer Brad Lidge has lived that way since coming to the team in a trade two years ago. 

Tim Wakefield made his sixth start of the spring yesterday against the Florida Marlins, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five Fish.

It was just the second time this spring he surrendered runs, as he improved to 3-1, 3.66.

Afterwards, he said he hasn’t been told anything about the ball club’s plans for him once the regular season opens, though he seems assured to start the year in the rotation due to Daisuke Matsuzaka’s continuing physical issues:

It may be just 10 days before Opening Day, but for starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka—who has been sidelined by a series of aches and pains for a large portion of spring training—it’s much more akin to March 1.

Dice-K took his first steps towards becoming a contributing member of the rotation yesterday with two innings of work against the Florida Marlins, allowing a run on two hits in his outing.

It was the first time he faced major league hitters in live action this spring.

When you see Jesus Montero step to the plate, you see more of an NFL linebacker than a baseball player. The 6'4'', 225 pound, 20-year-old catcher hails from Guacara, Venezuela. Signed as a 16-year-old by the New York Yankees in 2006, Montero was tagged as the heir to Jorge Posada—high standards for just a teenager.

Many times, the low man on the totem pole does not get recognition for the job he does for an organization.  Giants batting coach Hensley "Bam-Bam" Meulens is that man in their organization this spring.  The Giants are leading both leagues in wins with 17.

Over the past couple of seasons, the rapid decline of David Ortiz has been somewhat spectacular. 

Ortiz has not hit 30 or more home runs since 2007. His batting average dropped to .264 in 2008, and .238 last year. Meanwhile, his OBP dipped to an anemic .332 last season.