2009 SPRING TRAINING

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Indians can begin spring training. Bob Feller is here.

The Hall of Famer, who turned 90 in November, will throw out the first pitch in Wednesday's Cactus League opener between the Indians and Giants. Feller, as usual, was spry of body and nimble of tongue as he walked into the press room Tuesday at the Indians player development complex.

"Are you guys going to write about steroids or baseball this season?" asked the Indians winningest pitcher.

The writers told him they preferred to write about baseball.

"I'm sure Bud (Selig) and A-Rod (Alex Rodriguez) would, too," deadpanned Feller.

Feller then ran down his travel schedule. His stay in Arizona would be interrupted by card show trips to New York, Chicago and other locals.

"You know why I'm doing it?" asked Feller.

"Money," he said without waiting for a reply.

Before the reporters left to watch practice, Feller left them with this thoughtl, "Just don't tell me we have great players in the minors. I don't care. I want great players in the big leagues who can help us win games."

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/schedule/

Going to Phoenix to drink beer in the sun March 26-30.

boy does that sound like a helluva idea

what time do we leave

There should be a free agent squad sponsored by a local plumber or oil change place or something.

cactus league keeps calling me

Look at Mr. February

Booed and taunted by opposing fans in the Yankees’ spring training opener, Rodriguez homered and drew two walks Wednesday in a 6-1 exhibition victory over Toronto that was anything but routine.

It was his first game since admitting he took performance-enhancing drugs from 2001-03 with Texas. He left after drawing a walk in the fifth inning, then signed autographs for five minutes before calling it a day.

“This is what I do. I know how to play baseball,” Rodriguez said. “I just hope that the start of something really special for this year. I feel really good about our team.”

...By the third time he went to the plate, hecklers who earlier shouted “Hey, A-Rod. Where’s your cousin?” and “Madonna” were drowned out by applause.

“When you’re playing, it’s hard to focus on standing ovations or boos. You’re just trying to go out there and do your job,” Rodriguez said. “Again, I didn’t see anything that was bad at all.”

I will there the weekend of March 28-29. Holla if you going.

http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/wp-content/photos/training002_1_2_3.jpg

http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2009/02/25/spring-training-gets-underway/

http://i42.tinypic.com/6h6b7a.jpg

Adam Dunn flies out, F6-8

VIERA, Fla. -- An X-ray of Dmitri Young's left hand on Monday showed no fractures. The first baseman has a left ring finger contusion and is listed as day-to-day.

On Sunday, Young, 35, was attempting to bunt when a ball from the pitching machine hit two of his fingers.

First pitch to Meat Hook today, thrown by Joel Zumaya, blasted him in the shoulder.

Josh Barfield in center, huh?

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090317&content_id=4006546

It's clear Byrd is going to be ready for Opening Day. Andruw Jones, it appears, isn't going to be needed. Any concerns about Byrd's surgically-repaired knee are disappearing, and all signs point toward Jones not making the Rangers coming out of camp.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/media/photo/2009-03/45478589.jpg

well done xp

Gorzelanny to AAA

Nolasco (seven innings) and two other Marlins no-hit the Tigers today.

jose tabata's 43 year old wife is a baby-snatcher? that was unexpected.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-missingbabyalert&prov=ap&type=lgns