Friday's first pitch

Leading Off

While talking to a group of Associated Press editors, Bud Selig made a shrewd move. He said he wouldn't force ticket prices in the Big Apple to be lowered. But he did bring up the problems with so many empty seats in The Bronx and Queens. So, a message is being sent to the Mets and Yankees.
This issue needs to be nipped in the bud, especially before the first Red Sox-Yankees series in The Bronx or Phillies-Mets showdown in Queens.
If we see those images of front rows being empty, we'll get an even clearer picture.
That the emperors of the Mets and Yankees have no clothes.

Regional Roundup
Phillies fans, look away. Adam Eaton pitched a gem for the Orioles.

• Yep, you read that right, the burly right-hander, who was booed during the ring ceremony at Citizens Bank Park, got to do the post-game interviews.


• Mount Manual has finally erupted. Know what I mean. OK, it wasn't as much of an eruption, but he let his anger be known. Cole Hamels is alright after being drilled by Prince Fielder.


• Joe Kerrigan is getting credit for bringing Pittsburgh's pitchers around. Now, the Pirates have a weekend with San Diego.


• Will Elijah Dukes be the new leadoff hitter? Former Nats manager Frank Robinson is now a special assistant to the commissioner.

Best of the Rest
Is it possible? Are the Blue Jays the best team in baseball?

• The Toronto Blue Jays have won all five series so far this season. That's a great way to start a season.


• The New York Daily News is reporting a major shake-up could be imminent in Queens.


• Chien-Ming Wang pitched well in an extended Spring Training


• Grady Sizemore came through for the Indians.


• Albert Pujols hit two home runs to lead the Cardinals to a sweep over the Mets.


• Ichiro homered and Felix was the King as the Mariners eked one out.

Batter's Eye

• Jayson Stark's Rumbling and Grumblings take a look at the Marlins' success, Vlad's injury and the Pedro's employment opportunities.

Today in history

1901 -- Chicago defeated Cleveland 8-2 in the first American League game. Three other scheduled games were rained out. The game lasted 1 hour, 30 minutes in front of a reported crowd of 14,000 at the Chicago Cricket Club.
1931 -- Chicago's Rogers Hornsby hit three consecutive homers to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-6 at Forbes Field.
1962 -- Sandy Koufax struck out 18 Chicago Cubs and pitched the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 10-2 victory at Wrigley Field.
The Closer

We're ending this the way we started it - talking about way too expensive seating in New York City.
The Yankees are charging more than $2,000 for some seats.
Think about that.
Sure you get to see Derek Jeter. Sure, you get to boo A-Rod. But you can do those things from the cheaper seats - there are no cheap seats in these stadiums. Sure, there's also a distinct chance you'll see 18 homers before an out is made. But you could get that from a Whiffle ball game. Sure, you could watch the Mets make another historic collapse. But you've already seen that twice.
So, what in God's name would drive you to pay $2,000 to see a regular-season game at Yankee Stadium, other than the Home Opener?
As big a baseball fans as we are here at The Southpaw, we don't know the answer to that.