In 2004, the New York Yankees were coming off a heart-breaking World Series loss to the Florida Marlins.

One man in particular got them to that spot in the World Series.

Aaron Boone hit a home run in the 11th inning of Game Seven of the ALCS to send the rival Red Sox packing again. This home run is probably the greatest I remember ever seeing.

The significance that Boone has to the team is not only that home run, but also what happened in the offseason.

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 a four game series in Toronto to begin the season, the Tigers return to Comerica Park for a 1:05 p.m. showdown against the Texas Rangers to open the home schedule on Friday, April 10.

This year, April 10 might just be another day to some. For me, it is my 23rd birthday. For Tiger fans it is the home opener. To many others the prime importance of April 10 is that it is Good Friday.

I read an article earlier today that I linked to my Facebook profile. That post sparked a war of words amongst a few of my friends and inspired me to write this article.

According to MLB.com, Mets manager Jerry Manuel is leaning toward batting Daniel Murphy second in the Mets lineup to begin the 2009 season.

Earlier this winter, Manuel hinted shortstop Jose Reyes might bat third.  While every indication shows that he is returning to the top of the lineup, I was beginning to warm to the idea that Reyes could provide speed in the middle of the order with guys like Wright, Delgado, and Beltran right behind him.

If Reyes was going to bat third, I would welcome with open arms the possibility of Murphy batting second.

Most of the New York Mets off season predicated on fixing the leaky bullpen responsible for pulling the plug on their season in 2008. 

They went out signed K-Rod and traded for J.J Putz.  Bullpen—check.

After that, the Mets stabilized the middle of their rotation by signing Oliver Perez, after being spurned by Derek Lowe. 

Middle of the rotation—check.

If you live in Tampa Bay and you are headed to a Rays game in April, David Price won't be there.

On Wednesday, in a move that really shocked me, David Price and four others were optioned to Triple-A Durham.

While the move didn't shock Price and others, I still wasn't expecting it, not after what he accomplished in the playoffs last year to help the Rays win the AL Championship.

Price said he "absolutely" believes Rays intended to send him down no matter how he pitched this spring and he wasn't surprised to be cut.