Baseball

Pitchers and catchers reporting tomorrow down in Orlando (or "Dark Star" as Dave O'Brien of the AJC has so cleverly coined it)  has a welcoming ring to it.

Every trade, every signing, every prospect, and every rumor has been dissected and bantered about throughout this hot stove season to the point where the only thing really left to do is the most important of all: play ball.

The Rangers have proven that they are willing to push their pitching prospects, as evidenced by their use of both Derek Holland and Neftali Feliz at the Major League level in 2009. The next pitcher who could follow suit is 18-year-old Martin Perez (he’ll turn 19 on April 4).

They pushed him to Double-A last season, where he struggled in five starts (5.57 ERA, 14 K in 21 IP), but he was extremely successful in his time at Single-A:

5 Wins
93.2 Innings
2.31 ERA
1.23 WHIP
105 Strikeouts (10.09 K/9)
33 Walks (3.17 BB/9)
.332 BABIP

Baseball is almost back in full bloom for the Boston Red Sox, as their pitchers and catchers report to spring training. The franchise made several big moves in the offseason in order to make up for their early exit in this year's post season.

One of their biggest acquisitions will arrive with the pitchers and catchers, that is John Lackey.

John Lackey was probably the biggest free agent pitcher out on the market, this offseason. The rival Yankees made an attempt to sign the pitcher, but the Evil Empire fell short.

Jonathan Sanchez strolled into camp looking a bit different this year.

The 6'2" lefty is 12 pounds heavier than in 2009.

Normally that's a reason for face palms, mumbles, and grumbles from an already impatient fanbase.

Now if Sanchez weighed 245 pounds (ahem, Pablo Sandoval), that could prove problematic fatigue-wise down the stretch. The Giants need to stay fit in order to continue producing during September.

But Sanchez’s weight gain is meant to help, not hurt.

It is believed that his velocity and durability will improve thanks to his heavier figure.

The Indians have called a press conference for 1:30 pm today, where they are expected to announce that GM Mark Shapiro will move to a new role as team president and Assistant GM Chris Antonetti will take over the GM role, effective after the 2010 season.

While the news has not been officially confirmed, it is expected to be announced at today's press conference.

Victor Mohn, despite being a Boston Red Sox fan, admired Mickey Mantle, but he felt that injuries were part of the game.

Victor wasn't surprised to learn that New York Yankees' general manager Ralph Houk talked Mickey out of retiring after the disastrous 1965 season.

Mickey Mantle revealed the truth. At the age of 34, the second greatest center fielder in New York Yankees' history no longer could run or throw well, and was no longer an effective hitter from the left side of the plate.

Take a glance at the statistics, and it would be easy to say Phillies left-hander J.A. Happ is primed for a disappointing 2010.

Not many expected the 26-year-old rookie to go 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA while dominating the opposition on numerous occasions, but he did just that. 

Not many expected him to have a chance to be named Rookie of the Year, but he did. (He eventually lost out to Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan.)

As Yankee fans, we think we know everything about the Red Sox. Unfortunately, what we think we know is that it’s going to be another 86 years until they win another World Series. In reality, not only do the Red Sox have a chance to win the American League East this year, but they’re not going away thanks to the fact that they’re being run by one of the better front offices in baseball.

Pitching may be all-important to winning in baseball nowadays, especially when it comes to post seasons play, but nothing battles great pitching better than an old-fashioned, well-balanced line-up.
A balance of speed and power, lefty and righty hitters, run scorers and run producers, are essential to giving the opposing pitcher no easy outs, as well as affecting the opposing manager's strategy when the game becomes more "specialized" in the later innings.

Four words. 

Well, technically three words and a conjunction. In any case, they are four rather unexceptional words that, when used individually, could be understood in many different contexts. When used together, they form one of the most beautiful phrases in the English language:

PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT