Baseball

I love baseball.

I love everything about it.  For as long as I can remember, baseball has been the one thing that I have consistently adored. 

I am a big sports fan in general, but nothing gets my blood pumping like a good baseball game.

Today’s Rangers-Blue Jays game was just such a contest.

The beginning of the game was extremely disheartening for Rangers fans. Going in with such high expectations, it was really hard to see Scott Feldman give up two home runs early, and the offense be completely absent.

In an afternoon press conference at Fenway Park, the Red Sox and RHP Josh Beckett announced they have finalized a four-year, $68 million extension that will keep the right-hander in Boston through the 2014 season. The contract includes a $5 million signing bonus and annual salaries of $15.75 million per year from 2011-2014.

For those of you who might find it suspicious the deal was announced on the day AFTER Beckett was roughed up by the NY Yankees on Opening Night, there IS reason to find the timing curious, though it probably isn’t what you are thinking.

John Bowker's spot on the Giants' opening day roster wasn't a guarantee when spring training opened.

With a minor league option left and players ahead of him ahead of him in the pecking order, Bowker had to earn his way onto the roster. And it looked like at the beginning of the spring, if he was going be on the roster breaking camp, it wasn't going to be as a starter.

The Boston Police Department has set out in search of the body of Jason Varitek. The Red Sox catcher was last seen behind the plate of Fenway Park for the first pitch. He shortly disappeared after the toss by Pedro Martinez and was not seen in the clubhouse afterwards.

Many people speculate that Red Sox catcher Victor Martinez was behind the plate yesterday because of Varitek's absence. After all, Varitek is the better of the two catchers and is the team captain. 

That familiar smell is in the air. The smell of freshly cut grass, water soaking the once hard packed dirt that sat dormant for the past few months, the brand new bats being taken out of the bags and being stacked for each individual player, and the anticipation of a new season to come.

In just a few short hours, players from both the Texas Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays will make their way to the Ballpark at Arlington and begin a six-month marathon to the World Series.

It's pretty clear that the 2010 MLB Draft is going to be pitcher heavy. Aside from catcher prospect Bryce Harper (aka the second coming of Stephen Strasburg in position player form), who is practically a shoe-in to go No. 1, you have to drop down to the 10-15 top prospect range to find a legit position player who is a can't miss player.

I profiled hard throwing right-hander Jameson Taillon a few days ago as a prospective future Oriole prospect, and today it is Anthony Ranaudo's turn.

Baseball Professor is attempting to undertake a project of grand importance, one that will unify the fantasy baseball community while simultaneously providing thought-provoking discussion.

This project could only be called one thing – The Sunday Survey.

Ready for the first pitch?

The Chicago Cubs open up the 2010 campaign facing the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field at 3:10 PM CST today for the first time in the club’s history. Only four other times have the Cubs and Braves met in an opener.

The most recent matchup was at Wrigley Field in 1993, when Greg Maddux pitched his first game as a Brave and shut out the Cubs, 1-0, in 8 1/3 innings of work. Maddux went on to win the Cy Young Award in ‘93, and in ’94...and in ’95.

A Yankees fan has to be wondering about a certain contract today with regard to their ace, CC Sabathia, after last night's opening against the Boston Red Sox. What's nearly as bad is that he was drubbed twice, in spring training, by the otherwise lowly Pittsburgh Pirates.

Sabathia, like almost any other player, has his "streaks." He pitched a great 2007 season for the Cleveland Indians, then "choked" in the ALCS that year, against Boston no less. 

Scott Kazmir, it seems, has been around forever.

Moneyball introduced the world to Kazmir, and he since has been at the head of the class.

Chosen 15th overall by the New York Mets and then signing for $2.15 million allowed Billy Beane to select Nick Swisher.

Kazmir went on to lead the resurgent Tampa Bay Rays into their lone playoff appearance as the “veteran” ace of the staff.

It appears that being the ace in your early 20s comes with its problems.