Wednesday’s First Pitch 2-24-10

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Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Nelson Payano stretches during his team’s full squad workout at baseball spring training, Tuesday.

H.G.H. testing is on the way.
Nutting is nuts if he wants us to believe him.
And Jimmy the Prognosticator strikes again.

Leading Off
We wanted to read up on all the “Pirates are for sale” rumors. Instead, we couldn’t get passed the second graph of this story.
We don’t know what’s more funny. That the Pirates could be buyers at the trade deadline or that they could be in contention at the trade deadline.
While we know the first is reliant on the second, we also know that it’s goofball comments like this that give Bob Nutting no credibility when he says the Pirates are for sale.

Regional Roundup

• Jimmy the Prognosticator has another prediction. Domonic Brown is making a name for himself.
• Ivan Rodriguez is impressed. The Southpaw is surprised the Nationals have just three of the top 100 prospects.
• Miguel Tejada is at the learning corner. Speaking of third basemen, The Southpaw tells us he thinks Josh Bell is an underrated prospect. Although we’re not sure anyone is an underrated prospect.
• Neil Walker has a new role.

Best of Rest

• Is there a new Yankee Clipper. This is definitely a different year for Alex Rodriguez,
• Jason Bay is already lost.
• Is this the year of Homer?
• The Bobby Cox’ farewell tour has begun.
• John Shea thinks the G-men have a shot.
• The Twins want to make it out of the first round.

Batter’s Eye

• The Royals are in legal trouble after a fan gets thwacked in the eye with a hot dog.

Wisdom from Springfield

A thought-provoking quote from the Southpaw’s favorite animated show, “The Simpsons.”

• From Homer: “Just once I’d like someone to call me ‘Sir’ without adding ‘You’re making a scene.’”

Today in history

1917 — The Red Sox sell Smokey Joe Wood to Cleveland for $15,000. Wood is just 26, but his arm is dead. He will become an outfielder after one last, losing start on the mound, and play five more years.

1948 — The Chicago White Sox trade Ed Lopat to the New York Yankees. Lopat will go on to have a strong career in pinstripes.

1990 – Former Red Sox slugger Tony Conigliaro, the youngest player to reach 100 home runs, dies.
What to watch on YouTube

The Southpaw wastes time finding gems on Youtube so you don’t have to.

The Closer

Yes.
According to the New York Times, Major League Baseball is going to test for HGH in the minors.
This is just in time for the collective bargaining agreement. And it’s one place, the only place, were the owners have the players over the proverbial barrel.

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