Opinion

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Recently, the story broke that in 2003, Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroid use. Buzz about whether or not Rodriguez should be considered for the Hall of Fame emerged. Quickly, his carefully crafted image began to crumble and he had to apologize for lying about his usage and for lying about the length of time he used steroids.  

In the interest of full disclosure, Justin Verlander and Gary Sheffield destroyed my fantasy team last year. Verlander was the second pitcher I drafted (after Aaron Harang—ouch), and all I needed from Sheff was one decent run at the end of the season to take my opening round playoff series. Swing and a miss on both counts.

Consequently, the residual bitterness may creep into this preview of the 2009 Detroit Tigers. Don't say I didn't warn you.

(Photo by Steven Senne / AP)

...but that was awesome.

I can't help but applaud the Red Sox' oft-moronic version of Michael Flatley for his comments about Manny Ramirez in his interview with the April edition of Esquire magazine:

It’s amazing what one week can do. Seven simple days and it seems like half of the Rockies' fan-base jumped off the bandwagon after a winless first week in Tucson.

The defeats can be looked at one of two ways:

For a spring training game, yesterday's matchup with the Boston Red Sox was a darn good pitching matchup. Josh Beckett went for the visitors and allowed nothing over four innings. The good news for Cardinal fans is that Chris Carpenter did the same.

Last night, Puerto Rico shut out the Netherlands 5-0 on just six hits. None of the eight pitchers used by manager Jose Oquendo were challenged as they combined for 13 strikeouts.

Puerto Rico had 10 hits of their own, but only one extra-base hit—a triple by Alex Rios that drove in a run. Of the five pitchers for the Netherlands, only Alexander Smit was able to prevent Puerto Rico from scoring.

Both teams used their bench players liberally, making this game seem more like an exhibition.

On one hand, you have a 28-year-old right fielder from Puerto Rico. On the other hand, you have a 25-year-old, right fielder from America.

They are Alex Rios of the Toronto Blue Jays and Nick Markakis of the Baltimore Orioles.

As of now, Markakis has certainly had the better career, but certain players definitely develop faster then others.

Both players are five-tool talents, they both have rocket arms in the outfield, speed on the base paths, power in their swings, man their corner outfield spot well, and both know how to put the ball in play.

Houston Astros OF/1B Darin Erstad's honor, integrity, and overall approach to the game exemplify the true meaning of baseball.

The Astros signed the two-time All-Star to a one-year contract prior to the 2008 season.

Erstad proved to be a valuable commodity for the club, hitting .276 with four home runs and 31 RBI in 322 at-bats.

The 14-year veteran demonstrates exceptional leadership in the clubhouse and acts as a tremendous role model to the younger ball players.

New York Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon barely hesitated long enough for the reporter's question to be completed before he tossed his answer forward.

When asked to name the most athletic player on the entire Yankee roster, Damon emphatically answered, "Cody Ransom."

After the reporter seemed slightly taken aback by his response, Damon added, "Have you been to YouTube yet?"

In a recent article titled Papelbon on Manny: It's Like Cancer, Jonathan Papelbon criticized former teammate Manny Ramirez on his attitude. In the article, Papelbon is quoted as saying “You have somebody like him, you know at any point in the ballgame, he can dictate the outcome of the game. And for him not to be on the same page as the rest of the team was a killer, man!