Opinion

No one goes to a baseball game to learn anything. Well, at least not anything important.

That's not to say that arguing over the six Astros' pitchers to no-hit the Yankees, the catcher to catch the most games after the age of forty, and what exactly went into the original Cracker Jack recipe isn't a valuable addition to your library of baseball knowledge, but it won't exactly change your life either.

Well, unless you're a fan of the Yankees or Cracker Jack that is.

Not even a month ago, the Rangers and free agent pitcher Ben Sheets seemed to have ironed out a preliminary two-year contract.

Things quickly fell through when doctors performing Sheets’ physical determined that he needed to have surgery on his right elbow.

The contract was thrown out, Sheets went on to have the surgery, the Milwaukee Brewers were responsible for the bill (the last team Sheets played for,) and the Rangers went on to spring training with the pitching staff they have.

After a second straight mind-blowing upset at the hands of The Netherlands, the roster of the Dominican Republic returned home with their tails tucked between their legs.

The Dominican team held the weight on their shoulders of a nation as passionate about the game of baseball as any other in the world.

As more and more information surfaces regarding steroid use in the MLB, it has become clear that the problem went much deeper than we all thought. Remember, just a few summers ago, we were all touting A-Rod as the "clean" savior who would valiantly reclaim the title of Home Run King from the evil Bonds. 

Back then, I thought the steroid users were sparse and obvious; bulky guys who were smaller at the start of their career. Now, I find myself asking more and more, "Who wasn't on steroids?" 

The Mets made a huge sacrifice in sending 16 players to the World Baseball Classic this year, but they have all served their countries well so far, even though Jose Reyes and Fernando Tatis are returning to camp after the Dominican Republic was eliminated last night.

David Wright was the first Met to accept an invitation to play for Team USA in the WBC after A-Rod decided to play for the Dominican Republic, but we all know what happened there, so no further discussion is needed.

A pinch-hit two-run home run prevented Cuba from being the next victim in a World Baseball Classic that has featured incredible upsets. Backup catcher Yosbany Peraza—known in Cuba for his prodigious power stroke—saved the day.

Team Australia led the game 4-2 after six innings. Cuba scored once in the seventh on a double by designated hitter Michel Enriquez. In the eighth Australia brought in its closer, Rich Thompson.

Pitching for the Dominican team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, Pedro Martinez is basically auditioning for a job this season with a major league team. In his two appearances, Pedro has tossed six shutout innings, allowing one hit while striking out six.

Even my 11-year-old son can limit the Netherlands team to one hit in six innings, although he needs to work on getting his slider over the plate more.

I have not made it a secret that I am no fan of the World Baseball Classic. I don't like the general idea that players who have major league contracts and commitments are missing Spring Training in order to play around the world in March.

That being said, the WBC is good for one thing. It is good for minor leaguers and free agents hoping to spark interest from other major league teams looking to fill out their major and minor league rosters this month.

In fact, the WBC has been really good to one man in particular: Pedro Martinez.

For the last preview in the American League West, I saved the favorites heading into 2009: the Los Angeles Angels. I say "favorite," but never has an incumbent—fresh off a 21-game coast to the division flag—worn the mantle while being supported by wobblier legs.

Consider the five player transactions from this winter that figure to make the biggest impact on the new Major League Baseball season:

1.  CC Sabathia inks with the New York Yankees.

2.  Mark Teixeira inks with the Yankees.

3.  The Oakland Athletics trade for Matt Holliday.

Two seasons ago, New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin sat in a dark office, wondering what he could possibly do to save his job. He had ultimately lost his locker room, and the veteran presence was beginning to shut him out.

The implementation of a leadership council, coupled with the brightening of a stern personality only a soldier could love, eventually paved the Giants path to a Super Bowl title.