Fan News

The big news yesterday was Joe Girardi's decision to flip-flop Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon in the batting order, making Jeter the leadoff man.

A lot of people have expressed their opinion on the move, and as you might expect the opinions are mixed.

Let's take a look at some of those from around the Internet.

Newsday's Jim Baumbach

The possibility of Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon switching to first and second in the order actually makes sense to me.  In earlier posts, people have tried to make the argument for Jeter batting first, but Joe Girardi's argument was able to infiltrate my "Jeter must bat second" barrier.

You've all had 20 minutes to look at this diagram. Does ANYONE think its correct? No? Good. Welcome to the University of Chicago, lesson one: hate everything—U of C Masters Student and Teaching Assistant.

Josh Ellis is far from the only person to believe this maxim, though he is the author. There seems to be a belief that to be a true fan of a team, you've got to hate it. Every coach is an idiot, no player is worth his contract, the owner is as cheap as it comes—no one is safe from the fury.

This off season, Jim Hendry had the difficult task of attempting to improve a team that won 97 games the season prior. Although the Cubs won the NL Central with ease, there's always a C.C. Sabathia waiting in the wings, who could push a NL Central foe to the top of the division.

Hendry focused on making the team more athletic and flexible, signing Joey Gathright and Aaron Miles. The Cubs were also able to move Jason Marquis off the books, which left a vacancy in the Cubs rotation.

Where would you rank this player for fantasy baseball?

Player A: .297, 56 HR, 68 RBI, 113 R, 16 SB

This is a five-star player. He would have been the league leader in HR last season, and he can steal a base.

The only knock might be that RBI total; let's just say he believes in the Alfonso Soriano school of lineup construction.

Would he be better than this guy?

Player B: .301, 33 HR, 67 RBI, 125 R, 35 SB

The greatest play in MLB history was not a walk-off long ball, nor was it an amazing catch. It was one home run.

A few days after the terrifying and horrible events of September 11, 2001, Mike Piazza hit a game-winning two-run homer.

New York was devastated by the attacks, as was the rest of the country. The Mets-Braves game on Sept. 21 was the first major sporting event after the catastrophe.

This single homer brought the city out of the darkness and tragedy.

As most of us know, there is more to life then sports. Kids grow up watching their favorite athletes, and view them as role models. Baseball is America’s pastime, and arguably its most popular sport. Unfortunately, baseball has been sending a bad message to children.

When Alex Rodriquez got accused of steroids, the baseball world was shocked. Arguably the biggest baseball icon was accused of cheating. When he admitted to using steroids, the media attacked him with questions for a week and eventually the news dwindled down.

After hearing from multiple sources that Jeff Clement might not make the Mariners opening day roster, I starting thinking, what should they do with him? Could they trade him? Could he be the Mariners' full time designated hitter and follow in the footsteps of All-Star Edgar Martinez?

Now, the reasons for him possibly not making the roster, are bold but true. Mariner's manager Don Wakamatsu wants a defensive back-up catcher and Clement is by no means that, so that leaves Rob Johnson.

In my brief time as a writer on the Bleacher Report, I've made it my practice to write about my beloved Red Sox. They are the team that makes my heart palpitate. "Born and Bred Red Sox Red" is the unofficial mantra I've coined for myself.

Cole Hamels most likely won't be on the mound when Opening Night comes around next Sunday for the Philadelphia Phillies.

His trip from sunny Clearwater to Philadelphia last week to see doctors about his elbow tightness means he won't debut until the team's fourth game against Colorado.

David Price won't open the 2009 season with the Tampa Bay Rays.

He will be in the minors, where the Rays will closely monitor his early-season workload hopefully he will be fresh for the dog days of summer.