As a resident of Toronto, Canada, it has become the norm to see our teams, such as the Maple Leafs, the Raptors, the Argonauts, and the FC having what can only be called mediocre performance at best.

Yet, people have been shocked with the performance from the Toronto Blue Jays.

The point of having a conversation regarding the Jays was to help change the subject from an awkward silence. However, the Jays impressive start to the season, has many people talking instead about the performance of our city's top team.

Michael Young has plenty to smile about as the Texas Rangers open a big homestand against the American League West, and for a change, it has nothing to do with offense.

My friends in the world of sports caution me constantly about expecting a playoff run from the Rangers, but I've always been a little reckless so I'm going to ignore their warnings for now.

What does a team have to display at this time of the season to be considered a true contender?

If we're talking drafts that teams wish they could redo, 2004 is the granddaddy of them all.

At least nine of the first 10 picks went awry in one form or another, and some pretty good players were found in the lower rounds. It all adds up to a spectacular re-draft!

1. San Diego

So who is the hottest team in the NL East?

Before tonight many writers, personalities, and fans would have said the Mets.

And I might have agreed. With seven straight wins and Johan Santana going tonight, I can think of no one that would disagree with that sentiment.

That is, until those upstart Braves came into town.

The Braves have easily been the East's second hottest team, since leaving Atlanta for the road last week.

On Monday night, they became the hottest with a 8-3 win in Queens.

As we all know, yesterday we all celebrated Mother's Day. Since all 30 teams had scheduled games, making a day to spend with their mothers impossible, Major League Baseball had something different in mind.

The MLB has been issuing pink bats on Mother's Day for some time now, but I feel that it has never meant more than this year. It is not only a great thing to do for Major League ballplayers, but it has become a fashion statement.

In the brave new world of the steroids era, nobody is above suspicion in organized baseball.

Not when five of the top 12 all-time fence busters (Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmiero, and Alex Rodriguez) are suspected of amassing their home-run totals under questionable circumstances.

Not when the pitcher who's ranked ninth in career wins, Roger Clemens, may forever have to pay the admission price to Cooperstown when he wants in.

This season has not been a pretty one for the Washington Nationals.

Losers of 10 of their first 11 games, they currently hold the worst record in either league. Last month, on consecutive days, they held leads against the Florida Marlins, only to see the Marlins tie the game on home runs and then win in extra innings.

Luck would not seem to be on their side.

While Nationals fans are no doubt frustrated with their team's misfortunes, they can feel honored to have one of baseball's young budding superstars: Ryan Zimmerman.

Exactly a month ago, I wrote an article telling you to pick up a few sleepers, one for each position.

I'm nothing if not accountable (unless you ask my wife), so today I'm going to recount the guys I told you to get, and update their progress through the first month of the season.

Keep in mind that these are not the guys I said you should draft, but the guys who should be productive and widely available in case of injury to one of your studs.

Catcher: John Baker, Florida Marlins

Let me start the typical “shock value” article the typical way, I love Ken Griffey, Jr.  When I was a kid, I measured how tall I was getting on a Ken Griffey Jr. height chart, before running out to play with my black outfielders glove with his golden signature in my palm.  

Now, unfortunately, I have outgrown Griffey, and the glove that I retired so many years ago is getting just as much work as Juniors glove does now. 

Adrian Beltre has been a source of contention among Mariners fans since signing a contract with the team before the 2005 season.

Fans were warned that Beltre, who’d hit 48 home runs in 2004, and finished second-place in MVP voting in the National League had never duplicated those numbers in his career. Following an unprecedented season is an uncomfortable time to sign a player.