Baseball

In my profile, I state that Willie Mays was a greater player than Babe Ruth was, because Mays played at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.

The wind at Candlestick can be so nasty as to blow homeruns back into the park, while Hank Aaron would eventually play in a hitter-friendly park where the wind would "assist" in a home-run.

My dad and uncle still talk about the Giants from the 1960s.  My uncle does so affectionately; my dad, not so much.

Well, the prick finally signed.

Good News: We finally have a left handed batter and a guy that can lead off.

Bad News: We're paying this clown $8 million, around $4 million more than the next highest reported offer. And there's a no trade clause. Ugh.

Good News: Damon put up excellent numbers last year.

Bad News: He played in that bandbox in New York where most of his homers were hit.

Ah, Spring Training. The ball hitting the catcher's mitt, the swing of the bat, the smell of cracker jack and hot dogs in the air.

Believe it or not, it has been 43 years since a major league baseball player captured the Triple Crown. The jewels in this elusive crown are batting average, home runs, and runs batted in.

Only a blessed few are in this elite class. Sixteen men, yes only sixteen men in the history of major league baseball have achieved such an incredible individual feat.

Since the late 1990's dynasty years, and well before high walk totals and high on base percentages were fashionable, the New York Yankees lineup was known as a patient group, working the pitcher to drive pitch counts up and getting to the opponents bullpen early.

Often they would get to the bullpen by the fifth, sixth, or seventh innings.  And when it became a battle of the bullpens, the Yankees always had the advantage with hurlers like John Wetteland, Mariano Rivera, and Jeff Nelson.

The Boston Red Sox have done a wonderful job of overhauling their roster this winter. After being swept out of the playoffs by the Angels, GM Theo Epstein knew major changes needed to be made, and he did just that.

John Lackey, the top free agent pitcher, was added to provide depth to the rotation as well as give a wealth of big-game experience to the staff.  Adrian Beltre and Marco Scutaro were brought in to retool the left side of the infield.

I have learned a lot of things working in Corporate America over the last 11 years. More importantly, I have learned a lot about how to build a team and maintain success being a manager for the last four years.

Anyone who does any type of managing or coaching knows that you will have strong performers on your team and weak performers. It’s just the nature of the beast.

MLBTradeRumors.com is reporting the New York Mets have come to a contract agreement with free agent catcher Rod Barajas. Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com was the first to tweet about this deal.

The agreement is reportedly a one year deal with a base of $1 million. It will also include up to $1 million in incentives, which apparently seem easy to attain.

The AL West consists of four teams; three of which look like they could win the division without a problem.  The Angels, Rangers, Mariners, and Athletics are all talented teams.  But, only one team can win the division.  However this division ends up, I know it's going to be a very tight race. 

1. Los Angeles Angels

The World Champion New York Yankees will not look the same when the new season starts in Boston on April 4.

Gone from the championship team are designated hitter Hideki Matsui, left fielder Johnny Damon, center fielder Melky Cabrera, relief pitcher Brian Bruney, and relief pitcher Phil Coke.