Opinion

No game to talk about from yesterday, so just a few random topics for discussion.

First off, Rick Ankiel notched a 83.7 percent approval rating from 56 voters, sliding him right in between Mike Shannon and Tony La Russa. I gave him a 90 percent, because I've been a big fan of Rick's since his original time in the minors. 

In many cases, it is difficult to truly appreciate greatness until long after a player has left the game he loves. As a result, many stars end up epitomizing the “You don’t know what you got till it’s gone” philosophy.

In the opening game for Group B of the 2009 World Baseball Classic, Cuba easily bested South Africa 8-1. Cuba’s 13-hit attack included six home runs, a new WBC single-game record.

But let’s not get carried away.

Yes, the Cubans are incredible athletes with a passion for baseball. Yes, they combine well-honed skills with fiery determination. They have always been an international force in baseball. They are certainly favored to win Group B and move on to the second round in San Diego.

Do the Yankees need A-Rod to win the World Seres? NO. A

-Fraud has already showed the Yankees that he's great during the season but is a choke artist once the playoffs start. Yankee fans must be wondering how do you sign a player to a $400 million contract and no ring not even a trip to the World Series.

Jeter has four rings. How many has A-Rod got? He was suppose to be the face of the Yankees.

From Mike Puma:

Hip, hip, hooray! Six to nine weeks without Alex Rodriguez doesn't sound so bad to Derek Jeter.

Venezuelan manager Luis Sojo must have known it would end like this. He must have realized that he has only three All-Star-quality pitchers on his staff. He must have known that American bats would not be quiet for long.

Yesterday in Toronto, Team USA guaranteed that they will play in the next round of the WBC with an awesome display of offense. A huge sixth inning broke the game open for the US, proving that once they got past starter Armando Galarraga, no one in the Venezuelan bullpen could shut them down.

Some of you will think this is just a Yankee-hating post (to the contrary, I'm surprised I don't get more grief for not hating the Yankees).

I was driving up the Harlem River Drive and looked across and...it just seems wrong.

I can't put my finger on it, but that Stadium just seems like it should not have been built.  Maybe I'm sensing the ghosts. Maybe I'm looking at the perfectly good Stadium right next to it.

All I keep hearing is Star Trek's Guinan saying "this isn't right" and Han Solo saying, "I have a bad feeling about this."

If you're a baseball fan your probably at least checking out the World Baseball Classic. Chances are a handful of players on the MLB team you cheer for are playing in the WBC.

However, do you care more if they do well? Your country wins? Your home teams players coming out of this "exhibition," healthy is what you should really care about. This Bud Selig created monster is a disaster waiting to happen.

All it does his hurt some players development during what should be spring training, putting them in a false "big game," mentality.

This was a great week to be a Twins' starting pitcher, and a bad week to face the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Twins starting pitchers threw a total of 21 innings this week, working between three and four innings as they begin to stretch out, but gave up just one run. Kevin Slowey continued his strong start to the spring and has yet to give up a run since coming to camp.

The other particularly bright spot was Francisco Liriano